11th Annual Bob Feller Act of Valor Awards Ceremony-US Navy Memorial - D.C.

Bob DiBiasio - SVP-Public Affairs/Cleveland Guardians spoke to Bill about the Bob Feller Act of Valor Awards Ceremony that will be held in Washington DC next Monday at the U.S. Navy Memorial. Our 11th year – and honored to be the MC of the event

Click Here To Listen Live https://www.iheart.com/live/news-radio-wtam-1100-17

Washington DC - The Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation proudly announces Carlton Fisk, formerly of the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago White Sox, and Jon Gray of the 2023 World Series Champion Texas Rangers as this year’s baseball honorees for the Bob Feller Act of Valor Awards.

Mr. Fisk and Mr. Gray will be joined by Navy and Marine Corps recipients and honored during the 11th Annual Bob Feller Act of Valor Awards Ceremony at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington D.C. on Wednesday November 15, 2023. The awards honor the legacy of National Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller, who made the selfless decision to put his career in Major League Baseball on hold to serve our country. The honorees selected possess the values, integrity, and dedication to serving our country that Bob Feller himself displayed.

This year’s program recognizes recipients from the military and Major League Baseball in six categories. In addition, the ceremony will recognize two accomplished interns of the Bob Feller Internship Program with the 2023 Fellowship Award.

2023 BFAOV Award Recipients:

1. National Baseball Hall of Fame Award: Carlton Fisk, National BBHOF Inductee 2022

2. Major League Baseball Award: Jon Gray, Texas Rangers

3. United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Award: Chief Personnel Specialist (Aviation Warfare) Terrell M. Culler

4. United States Marine Corps, Jerry Coleman Award: Gunnery Sergeant Terrance B. Showers, Operations Chief of Combat Logistics Battalion 451 (CLB-451)

5. Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Award: Junior Enlisted Association aboard the USS Tripoli

6. Bob Feller Fellowship Award: Nora Belodeau, a graduate of Gettysburg College and Marco DelBene who is attending Pace University.

National Baseball Hall of Fame Award Honoree

Carlton Fisk

Carlton “Pudge” Fisk, born in Vermont and raised in Charlestown, New Hampshire became one of the most hard-working, durable and dedicated MLB catchers of all time. Was respected by fans, competitors and teammates for the way he played the game. Although he attended the University of New Hampshire on a basketball scholarship, he was drafted in the 1967 amateur draft by the Boston Red Sox. While with the Red Sox, Fisk received the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 1972 when he batted .293 with 22 home runs and 61 runs batted in. He signed with the Chicago White Sox in 1981 and helped the team win its first American League Western Division title in 1983.

He finished his career with 2,356 hits, 376 home runs, 1,330 RBI along with three Silver Slugger Awards and one Gold Glove. He was also an eleven time All-Star. He will be most remembered for his 12th inning game winning home run in game 6 of the 1975 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds, during which he memorably waved his arms helping the HR to stay fair. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.

Fisk served in the United States Army Reserves from 1967 to 1971 as a member of the 393rd Service and Supply Battalion in Chester, Vermont.

Carlton was very close to Bob Feller and his wife, Anne, and spoke of them fondly and realized the sacrifice and patriotism that Bob displayed and how he put his impressive baseball career on hold when he enlisted into the U.S. Navy shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was also aware of the sacrifices of those who were currently serving during the war against terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan and acknowledged how hard it was for him and his family when he had a family member or relative in harms way.

Major League Baseball Award Honoree

Jon Gray

Jonathan Gray has been a mainstay on the Texas Rangers pitching staff in 2023 – playing a large role in the Rangers appearance in October Baseball. The 31year-old righthander posted a 9-8 record and 4.12 ERA in 29 starts this season, his 9th as a big leaguer. Jon owns a career mark of 69-64 and 4.45ERA. Jon is also a mainstay off the field. In 2022, Jon began the #MissionGraywWolf22 program hosting military groups to three Texas Rangers home games. The invitation included the opportunity for 28 service men, women, and spouses to attend the game as his guests. They were treated to complimentary parking, premier seating with a $25 cash value added to each ticket as well as an inclusive meet and greet with Jon which included a question-and-answer segment, autographs, and a group photo.

Groups hosted were Airman and Family Readiness Center at the NAS JRB, Dyess Air Force Base and Sheppard Air Force Base.

In addition, Jon and his wife Jacklyn hosted a Toy Drive in December to collect toys for Mission Arlington/Mission Metroplex and raised more than 900 toys, helping more than 16,000 families provide toys for their children. He also donated $100 for each of his strikeouts to The Pawerful Rescues for animals in need.

This season, Jon treated military families across Texas to 12 Rangers games through the #MissionGrayWolf22 program. His 28 special guests received complimentary parking, premier seating, $25 cash value added to each ticket, and an inclusive meet and greet with Jon to include a question-and-answer segment, autographs, and a group photo. Each person will also receive a specially designed “missiongraywolf22” cap as a special treat. Groups hosted included: the 301st Fighter Wing, Adaptive Training Foundation, Dyess Air Force Base, Folds of Honor, Fort Hood Military Base, Fort Sill Air Force Base, Gold Star Moms, Goodwill Vets, Merging Vets and Players (MVP), Sheppard AFB, Vance Air Force Base and the USO. Jon also donated $500 for each of his Texas Rangers’ wins to the Adaptive Training Foundation. The Rangers won 90 games this season resulting in a donation of $4,500.

Jon and his wife, Jacklyn also hosted The Birthday Party Project during four Texas Rangers home games in a suite hosted by Jacklyn Gray which includes complimentary parking, suite tickets, goody bag, autograph card from Jonathan. They are also donating $100 for each of Jonathan’s strikeouts to The Birthday Party Project. The Birthday Party’s mission is to bring JOY to children experiencing homelessness through the MAGIC of a birthday celebration.

Jonathan was also the Texas Rangers 2023 Roberto Clemente Award nominee for exemplary Community Service, the 2023 Lou Gehrig nominee, and is on the Board of the Taylor Hooton Foundation. Upon receiving the news of being selected as the MLB Award recipient, he said, “To win the award feels great, it’s a huge honor and it’s a reminder that we can make a difference in the world for people we love.”

Military Award Honorees

U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Award

This year’s U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer honoree is Chief Personnel Specialist (Aviation Warfare) Terrell M. Culler. Chief Culler joined the Navy in 2002 as a native of Orangeburg, South Carolina and has served with distinction ever since. His tours of duty include Personnel Support Detachment Sewell’s Point, the Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC), Charlotte, NC, NOSC Jacksonville, FL, VR-54 in New Orleans, Commanders HQ, Naval Region Europe where he was selected for Chief Petty Officer, and Commander’s HQ, Pacific Fleet Pearl Harbor.

Chief Culler possesses the qualities that defined Mr. Robert “Bullet Bob” Feller and exemplifies our Navy’s core values of honor, courage and commitment. Chief is an inspirational leader to his Sailors and peers alike, and a consummate technical expert in his rating. As the Fleet Reserve Program Director, he led the PACFLT Reserve enterprise supporting over 9500 billets distributed across the Indo-Pacific Area of Responsibility (AOR). He provided indispensable mentorship and training for 28 Officers and Enlisted personnel from 13 lower echelons over the course of the year. Additionally, he led the execution of $30M in support of Pacific Fleet Ops throughout the AOR supporting four Type Commanders, and two numbered fleets. As a technical expert, he was hand selected to support the CNO’s Get Real, Get Better priority #1: Fix Sailor Pay. His team identified 22 actionable recommendations to improve Sailor’s pay and created training to better prepare the Navy’s pay personnel to support our troops.

Outside of the ship, Chief’s leadership continues within the community. Chief Culler is a proud member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc and uses this platform to help develop leaders within his community. His efforts have supported NAACP, United Negro College Fund, Sickle Cell Foundation, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. As part of the Oahu community, Chief has coordinated food drives, supporting over 50 poverty-stricken families. In addition, he has lent his support to events through the Navy’s Moral, Welfare and Recreation office, the Chief Petty Officer’s Association, Red Hill Elementary mentorship programs, Makalapa Elementary clean up and field days, and Harvest food banks.

Chief Culler stated: “It takes an abundance of humility to lead others. Understanding the sacrifice it takes to serve others and a cause bigger than oneself, I can think of no greater honor than to serve as a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy. Bob Feller understood that assignment, he demonstrated a pure act of selflessness and humility to answer the call of duty for his country. His contributions have made a lasting impact on my career as a Sailor and to all service members of the Armed Forces. As a man of God, husband and Chief Petty Officer, I am committed to making meaningful contributions to my country, sailors and community. I strive to bring the best out of those around me, remaining dedicated to the vision of "Building a Tradition, Not Resting Upon One!" It is truly an honor and a privilege to be recognized for this prestigious award.”

Chief Culler has been the type of leader that has an exponential impact on his Sailors and his community, the lives he has touched through his unwavering dedication to service, and his lead-by-example style will resonate for generations within the service.

Jerry Coleman Award

Gunnery Sergeant Terrance B. Showers is being recognized this year as the Jerry Coleman Award winner. As the Operations Chief of Combat Logistics Battalion 451 (CLB-451), he expertly planned numerous strategic initiatives and dynamic training events for the Marines in his charge.

He is frequently called upon to perform Company and Battalion tasks to further the combat readiness of one of the Marine Corps’ largest Battalions. Gunnery Sergeant Showers has consistently performed above his peers in any billet he has filled, devoting his energies to the proper training and readiness of the Marines around him. He continues that service in his immediate community and in the national Veteran community to assist veterans during their most trying times.

Gunny Shower’s became a part of The Irreverent Warriors in 2020, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to putting a stop to Veteran suicides using their unique brand of unconventional therapy: hikes and gatherings in Silkies. Founded in 2015, this unabashed (501c3 non-profit) organization has been helping Veterans through their toughest times – and it became a place where GySgt Showers knew he could make a difference in people’s lives – and not only Veterans’ lives, but their families, friends, and loved ones as well.

In 2022 GySgt Showers assumed the role of one of the Warrior’s National Coordinator positions. In this position he continued support the Midwest hikes and work with National Leadership team to work on strategic initiatives for this crucial cause. His various projects and responsibilities included: updating standard operating procedures, developing an awards system and board to give coordinators well deserved recognition for their efforts, supporting district and local coordinators, and holding weekly meetings, live-stream presentations, and attending multiple hikes throughout the country with other National Coordinators.

“Being chosen for this award is a privilege. I express gratitude to the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation and the Jerry Coleman Family. Having witnessed the toll of Veteran suicide on friends and loved ones and having lost many dear friends to it, I pledged to do everything I can to combat this crisis. Thank you and Semper Fidelis!”

Gunnery Sergeant Shower’s efforts with the community and the Marine Corps has ensured that there is a generation of Americans that will know what right looks like and what it means to extend a helping hand to those in need, and that is why he is the perfect choice for this year’s Jerry Coleman award. Semper Fi!

Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Award

This unique award honors a group of junior Sailors that have excelled in encouraging other Sailors to embody the Navy's core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment, and have worked together to promote peer-to-peer mentorship and reduce destructive personal decision-making and behaviors. This year’s recipient is the Junior Enlisted Association

onboard the USS Tripoli.

The USS Tripoli’s Junior Enlisted Association (JEA) is comprised of 145 highly motivated members who have successfully executed over 50 JEA events. These include karaoke nights, career rodeos, ice cream socials, game nights, the Biggest Loser challenge, and TRIPOLI’s Got Talent, showcasing the talents of TRIPOLI’s crew of over 2400 Sailors and Marines.

Their engagement in fundraising, hosting morale boosting events, and promoting comradery throughout the command has increased committee enrollment, such as the diversity team, that promotes a culture of inclusiveness and participates in cultural heritage celebrations.

The JEA improves morale of the crew by also focusing on the professional needs of their Shipmates. The JEO led the charge for many training sessions in personnel qualification standards for over 500 Sailors and paved the way for many to earn their respective warfare designator qualifications. Additionally, their dedication to training and excellence led to many qualifications in damage control, Anti-Terrorism Force Protection, and deck watches assuring that the USS Tripoli crew was always ready to meet mission requirements during it’s 2022 maiden deployment to the SEVENTH Fleet areas of operations.

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) 3rd Class Ayria Irby, from Anderson, South Carolina, the JEA President aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7) stated, “This award means so much to me. I’ve been in the JEA for the last three years and when I first joined, we wanted to make the JEA more accessible to all junior Sailors – we wanted to make a difference in the command. Winning this award shows that we’ve done something right and it’s a big accomplishment.”. and Chief Yeoman Alicia Bufford, from Greenville, North Carolina, one of the JEA mentors aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7) simply said, “This award serves to show the JEA that their hard work within the command does not go unnoticed.”

Building Future Leaders

This year's ceremony will again recognize The Bob Feller Act of Valor Scholarship Program, created to provide tuition assistance to qualified students of military families, Veterans, service personnel and accomplished interns of the Bob Feller internship program seeking post-secondary education. In alignment with the Foundation’s ongoing mission to acknowledge and support the sacrifices made by our service members and their families, the foundation will award six $2,000 educational scholarships based on academic excellence, community service, leadership, and participation in extra-curricular activities in school and within their community.

.

About the Program

Previous National Baseball Hall of Fame recipients included: Yogi Berra, Tommy Lasorda, George Brett, Rod Carew, Tom Seaver, Johnny Bench, Randy Johnson, Brooks Robinson, Joe Torre and Trevor Hoffman.

MLB player recipients have included: Justin Verlander, Nick Swisher, Jonathan Lucroy, Brad Ziegler, Darren O’Day, Sean Doolittle, Ian Kennedy, Craig Stammen, Griffin Jax, and Byron Buxton.

Previous Navy Chief Petty Officer recipients include: Senior Chief Petty Officer Garth Sinclair, Senior Chief Petty Officer Carl Thompson, Chief Petty Officer Genell Cody, Senior Chief Petty Officer Christopher Beeding, Chief Petty Officer Edmundo Brantes, Chief Petty Officer Shawn M. Wingle, Senior Chief Petty Officer Jairo N. Guity, and Chief Petty Officer Lacresha L. Dowdell.

Previous Peer to Peer Mentorship recipients include: The USS CARL VINSON (CVN70), HOPPER Information Services Center, USS CONSTITUTION, Unmanned Patrol Squadron ONE NINE (VUP-19), U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE (NMCB 5), USS AMERICA (LHA6), and Training Support Center Great Lakes Chapter of the CSADD.

Previous Marine Corps honorees included: Staff Sergeant Rene Segura, First Sergeant Marshall Cleveland, Staff Sergeant Adam Plambeck, Gunnery Sergeant Johnathan S. Rose, Gunnery Sergeant Joshua A. MacMillan, and Master Sergeant Herman A. Kruppa.

About the Foundation

Peter Fertig founded The Bob Feller Act of Valor Award with the support of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, Major League Baseball, the Cleveland Guardians, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the gracious consent of the late Mrs. Anne Feller, the San Diego Padres, and the family of Jerry Coleman.

To learn more about the BFAOVA Foundation: https://www.actofvaloraward.org/