Navy Baseball Attends 2023 Bob Feller Act of Valor Awards Ceremony

11/17/2023 9:50:00 AM
By Navy Sports

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of a full day in our nation's capital, the Navy baseball team had the opportunity to attend and participate in the 2023 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Ceremony on Wednesday night in Washington, D.C.
 
Hosted in-person at the United States Navy Memorial's Heritage Center for the ninth time since 2013, new head coach Chuck Ristano and the Midshipmen attended the ceremony that honored Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk, Texas Rangers pitcher Jon Gray, Chief Personnel Specialist (Aviation Warfare) Terrel M. Culler, Gunnery Sergeant Terrance B. Showers and USS Tripoli's Chapter of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) for their dedicated work that embodies the ideals of Bob Feller's historic and service-oriented life.
 
The Bob Feller Act of Valor Award was created by Peter Fertig in 2013 with the support of the U.S. Navy, the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial, the Cleveland Guardians, the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, and the gracious consent of Mrs. Anne Feller. The award, through the unique intersection of baseball and the US Navy, recognizes and honors those who reflect the values, integrity and dedication to serving our country which Bob Feller himself possessed.
 
During the ceremony, the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation presented the Bob Feller Act of Valor Awards to a 2023 World Series champion in the right-hander Gray as well as a 2000 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee and 11-time all-star catcher in Fisk.
 
USMC Gunnery Sergeant Terrance B. Showers was honored with the Jerry Coleman Award, and the Act of Valor Award for Chief Petty Officer was awarded to USN Chief Personnel Specialist (Aviation Warfare) Terrel M. Culler. The Peer-to-Peer Award was presented to the USS Tripoli's Chapter of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD).

Prior to the ceremony in the museum's auditorium, senior captain Matthew Shirah and the rest of the Midshipmen had a chance to spend time with the honorees, as well as a variety of high-ranking military representatives in the exhibition portion of the museum. The team also made visits to the U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court earlier in the day as part of a team-building experience.
 
Wednesday marked the eighth year that the Mids have been invited and attended the event.