Bob Feller Chief Petty Officer U.S. Navy, A chief petty officer assigned to Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, Fla., received the inaugural Bob Feller Act of Valor Award in a ceremony at the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., Nov. 6.
The award was presented to three people who represent the important areas of Feller's life: his MLB career, his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame (NBHOF) and his service as a Navy chief petty officer.
Award recipient Chief Hospital Corpsman Garth Sinclair said Feller was an example of self-sacrifice and service and is an inspiration for generations of Americans.
"I am humbled to receive the honor of being mentioned in the same breath as Yogi Bera and Justin Verlander," said Sinclair. "Bob Feller set the bar very high in both his personal and professional life."
As a chief petty officer, he knows he couldn't achieve what he was nominated for without the help of others including his Sailors and fellow chiefs.
"As a chief, I know that there are probably many of my brother and sister chiefs that are just as deserving of this award as I am, but they just weren't nominated," said Sinclair. "This recognition is as much theirs as it is mine."
Sinclair said recognition is not the same as reward. He knows, as a chief petty officer, the reward is not standing out as a Sailor, but standing up for the Sailors who work for him.
He illustrates what he means by referring to President John F. Kennedy's famous summary of the parable of the faithful servant in the book of Luke in the Bible, "To those whom much is given, much is expected."
"It is easy to get wrapped up in our own lives and miss opportunities to share our blessings with others," said Sinclair. "I am truly honored to be recognized for my service, but the rewards are in the smiles of gratitude, pride in accomplishment, and confidence that I see on the faces of the students I teach and the kids I coach."
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Mike Stevens said Sinclair represents the attributes that accompany the title of chief petty officer.
"Chief Petty Officer Garth Sinclair embodies all that's good of a chief petty officer and has shown a lifetime of excellence, most importantly he understands that true leadership is about service far more than it about self," said Stevens. "I could not be prouder of him and all that he has accomplished and he is most deserving of this award."
The Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation established this award named in honor of the Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher, and National Baseball Hall of Fame (NBHOF) inductee, and Navy veteran Bob Feller.
Bob Feller not only excelled on the baseball diamond, he is the only chief petty officer in the baseball hall of fame and he was decorated with six campaign ribbons and eight battle stars, while serving on missions in both the Pacific and the North Atlantic.
Feller was the first American athlete to enlist in the military following the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. He missed four seasons with the Indians while serving in the Navy. He served aboard USS Alabama, which won nine battle stars, eight while Feller was aboard.
Feller is among Sinclair's sports heroes too who are examples of important values like teamwork, sharing a common goal and putting a greater good above oneself. Because Feller exhibited these qualities as a chief petty officer and as a baseball player, Sinclair is surprised he is not talked about more.
"The more I learn about Bob Feller, the more I wonder why we don't hear as much about him as Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, or Joe Di Maggio...he belongs in that conversation"
In recognition of Feller's significant accomplishment in attaining the rank of chief petty officer, nominees must be a chief petty officer (E-7 only), active or Reserve, must be outstanding military professionals, and must embody the Navy's core values of honor, courage, and commitment."
Supporters of the award honoring the legacy of the Bob Feller include the USS Alabama Battleship Commission, Major League Baseball, the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum. Co-sponsors of the event includes the Navy Memorial and the Navy League of the United States.
The award was presented to three people who represent the important areas of Feller's life: his MLB career, his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame (NBHOF) and his service as a Navy chief petty officer.
Award recipient Chief Hospital Corpsman Garth Sinclair said Feller was an example of self-sacrifice and service and is an inspiration for generations of Americans.
"I am humbled to receive the honor of being mentioned in the same breath as Yogi Bera and Justin Verlander," said Sinclair. "Bob Feller set the bar very high in both his personal and professional life."
As a chief petty officer, he knows he couldn't achieve what he was nominated for without the help of others including his Sailors and fellow chiefs.
"As a chief, I know that there are probably many of my brother and sister chiefs that are just as deserving of this award as I am, but they just weren't nominated," said Sinclair. "This recognition is as much theirs as it is mine."
Sinclair said recognition is not the same as reward. He knows, as a chief petty officer, the reward is not standing out as a Sailor, but standing up for the Sailors who work for him.
He illustrates what he means by referring to President John F. Kennedy's famous summary of the parable of the faithful servant in the book of Luke in the Bible, "To those whom much is given, much is expected."
"It is easy to get wrapped up in our own lives and miss opportunities to share our blessings with others," said Sinclair. "I am truly honored to be recognized for my service, but the rewards are in the smiles of gratitude, pride in accomplishment, and confidence that I see on the faces of the students I teach and the kids I coach."
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Mike Stevens said Sinclair represents the attributes that accompany the title of chief petty officer.
"Chief Petty Officer Garth Sinclair embodies all that's good of a chief petty officer and has shown a lifetime of excellence, most importantly he understands that true leadership is about service far more than it about self," said Stevens. "I could not be prouder of him and all that he has accomplished and he is most deserving of this award."
The Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation established this award named in honor of the Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher, and National Baseball Hall of Fame (NBHOF) inductee, and Navy veteran Bob Feller.
Bob Feller not only excelled on the baseball diamond, he is the only chief petty officer in the baseball hall of fame and he was decorated with six campaign ribbons and eight battle stars, while serving on missions in both the Pacific and the North Atlantic.
Feller was the first American athlete to enlist in the military following the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941. He missed four seasons with the Indians while serving in the Navy. He served aboard USS Alabama, which won nine battle stars, eight while Feller was aboard.
Feller is among Sinclair's sports heroes too who are examples of important values like teamwork, sharing a common goal and putting a greater good above oneself. Because Feller exhibited these qualities as a chief petty officer and as a baseball player, Sinclair is surprised he is not talked about more.
"The more I learn about Bob Feller, the more I wonder why we don't hear as much about him as Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, or Joe Di Maggio...he belongs in that conversation"
In recognition of Feller's significant accomplishment in attaining the rank of chief petty officer, nominees must be a chief petty officer (E-7 only), active or Reserve, must be outstanding military professionals, and must embody the Navy's core values of honor, courage, and commitment."
Supporters of the award honoring the legacy of the Bob Feller include the USS Alabama Battleship Commission, Major League Baseball, the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum. Co-sponsors of the event includes the Navy Memorial and the Navy League of the United States.
