VADM Levering Smith Award
Established in 1986, the Vice Admiral Levering Smith Award for Submarine Support Achievement recognizes specific or continuing submarine support actions which have most contributed to the furtherance of the spirit or fighting mettle of the Submarine Force. Submarine support actions shall include service in submarine support activities, submarine maintenance and training activities, and other such activities engaged in direct support of the operating Submarine Force.
2025 Awardee
LT Aaron K. Dankof, USN
for outstanding performance as Military Assistant Project Superintendent at Fleet Maintenance Submarines (FMB).
LT Dankof contributed significantly to the success of 59 intermediate-level submarine maintenance availabilities, positively impacting every submarine on the Norfolk waterfront. Through his integrated knowledge of submarine systems, he was able to deconflict required work, maximizing restoration of combat readiness to the fleet. As a Project Officer, he created and implemented a lean process for Periodic Maintenance Requirement accomplishment at FMB, enabling USS ALBANY (SSN 753) to achieve more than double the previous completion rate. This restored the boat to the 90+% goal of the Type Commander. LT Dankof designed custom tooling to remove the upper bearing on a military radar; this ingenuity overcame a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, enabling time-critical repairs and ensuring ALBANY completed its emergent repair with full military radar capabilities. Showcasing his leadership and mentorship, he provided deck-plate training to each boat’s Engineer and crew. He is willing and able to translate complex shipyard maintenance procedures and processes for crews, ensuring all members of the maintenance team understand their role and are mutually supportive.
LT Dankof is most deserving of recognition by the Naval Submarine League to receive the Vice Admiral Levering Smith Award for Submarine Professional Excellence.
Previous Awardees
2024 |
LCDR Correy J. Borelli, USN |
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2023 |
CTTC(SG/IW) Daryl F. Maynes, USN |
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2022 |
LCDR Nicholas D. Chiudioni, USN |
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2021 |
LCDR Andrew Regalado, USN |
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2020 |
ETRCS(SS) Andrew J. Enholm, USN |
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2019 |
SSC(SS) Kip C. Farrell, USN |
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More Awardees
2018 |
MTCS(SS) Jeremy Reardon, USN |
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2017 |
LT Zachary J. Prefontaine, USN |
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2016 |
LCDR William C. McBride, USN |
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2015 |
LT Jason D. Baker, USN/h4> |
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2014 |
LT Mark S. Williams, USN |
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2013 |
LT Timothy S. Perkins, USN |
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2012 |
LCDR William J. Hendershot, USN |
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2011 |
LCDR Michael B. Jensen, USN |
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2010 |
CWO4(SS) Jeffrey E. Brewster, USN |
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2009 |
LCDR Paul B. Spracklen, USN |
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2008 |
LCDR Raymond C. Spears, USN |
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2007 |
LT Jesse Leon Hubbart, USN |
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2006 |
LCDR William M. Prescott, USN |
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2005 |
LCDR Clifton B. Mygatt, Jr., USN |
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2004 |
LCDR Nonito V. Blas, USN |
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2003 |
CWO2(SS) Phillip E. Parr, USN |
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2002 |
LCDR Sean Harding, USN |
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2001 |
LCDR Thomas Arthur Gabehart, USN |
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2000 |
LCDR Richard E. Verbeke, USN |
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1999 |
MMCM(SS) Casey L. White, USN |
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1998 |
MMC(SS) Wade M. Bair, USN |
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1997 |
LCDR Michael H. Sumrall, USN |
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1996 |
MMC(SS) Dow F. Rogers, USN |
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1995 |
LT Paul G. Fabish, USN |
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1994 |
LCDR Rex D. Lacy, USN |
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1993 |
LCDR Steven L. Stevens, USN |
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1992 |
LT David B. Wilkie, USN |
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1991 |
EMCM(SS) Steven F. Collier, USN |
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1990 |
LT Mark A. Brown, USN |
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1989 |
CWO4(SS) Douglas Leon Davis, USN |
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1988 |
CWO2(SS) Burt Randolph Standridge, USN |
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1987 |
LCDR John A. Stone, USN |
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1986 |
MMCM(SS) John Manuel Maldonado, USN |
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Vice Admiral Levering Smith
Levering Smith graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1932. During World War II, he participated in campaigns and engagements in the Pacific including the Battles of Santa Cruz and Lunga Point, and surviving the sinkings of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet and the cruiser USS Northampton. He also took part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea in the cruiser USS Indianapolis.
Admiral Smith’s contribution to the promotion of technology began after his distinguished WWII service with his assignment to the Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake, California. In that work, he concluded that a small, solid propellant missile would be the logical choice for surface ship and submarine launching. This work propelled him into the pursuit of a viable strategic deterrent for the nation and caused the disbanding of the joint Army-Navy Committee pursuing the application of a liquid fueled missile. Admiral Smith was appointed Technical Director of the Navy’s Special Projects Office, which was given complete responsibility for the Polaris Program.
The years that followed, with Admiral Smith as Technical Director, then Director of the Strategic Systems Project Office, saw the deployment of an operational system in just four years. After Polaris came the Poseidon and Trident Programs, each developing a set of technologies crucial to the success of these strategic force elements. Admiral Levering Smith, more than any other individual, was responsible for the successful marriage of the ballistic missile with the nuclear submarine. His early pioneering in large solid propellant motors made the submarine launched ballistic missile a safe and practical reality. His technical direction in advancing technology of solid propellants, electronics and weight reducing materials led to increased range and payload that made the Fleet Ballistic Missile the most survivable of our strategic forces. His management practices focused the efforts of a highly successful and enduring government and industry team on common goals with clearly understood priorities.