United States Coast Guard Academy
  Class of 1951

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Eagle Award

Since 1977, the Class of '51 Endowment Fund has bestowed the Eagle Award to a distinguished graduating cadet with the highest overall ranking in Professional Maritime Studies. This four-year course of instruction is designed to orient and prepare the cadet for a career in the Coast Guard, with particular attention given to the area of nautical sciences. The course includes theory of navigation, voyage planning, theory and science of ship handling, as well as a capstone course on leadership as a division officer.

The Eagle Award Display has a built in trophy case/stand for the bronze eagle statue sculpted by Gilroy Rogers and donated by the Class of '51. The names of the award recipients are next to the statue.  The display has room for 48 total names. There are actually two name plaques so there won't be a time when the names aren't posted during annual updates. This display is 76" x 36".

Eagle Award Display

Recipients of this award are:

Accompanying the Eagle Award Display is a Professional Maritime Studies plaque, which has an 84" x 9" name board with indented gold letters reminiscent of name boards used on a cutter. The name board is wider than the display underneath. Below the name board is a display that highlights the four major qualification badges (specialties) cadets can pursue when they graduate from the Academy (Cutterman, Naval Aviator, Operations Ashore Response, Operations Ashore Prevention).  Above each of the badges is a photograph that depicts the mission of those who earn each badge.  This part of the display is 76" x 36".

The descriptions of the four qualifications are as follows:

• Operations Afloat: The Cutterman's insignia represents a career dedicated to service in the Coast Guard's cutter fleet. Missions of the cutter fleet include protecting life and property at sea, enforcing laws and treaties, managing waterway safety, icebreaking, and scientific support. The Coast Guard and Navy fleets comprise the National Fleet, a robust surface force that meets our country's national security needs at home and abroad.

• Aviation:  An Aviator's "wings" represent a career conducting the Coast Guard's missions while flying fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. Coast Guard aviators are highly skilled in search and rescue and also perform law enforcement, environmental protection, maritime security and homeland defense missions.

• Operations Ashore - Response:  The Boat Forces insignia represents the dedicated service of the Coast Guard's shore based small boat forces. These units specialize in working with federal, state and local agencies in protecting life, property and the environment. Boat Forces also work closely with the other military services and government agencies to conduct national defense and homeland security missions.

• Operations Ashore - Prevention:  The Marine Safety insignia represents a career conducting missions in maritime industry regulation, licensing, and environmental stewardship. Marine Safety personnel facilitate the nation's waterborne commerce by maintaining safe, secure and clean ports, waterways, marine transportation facilities, and vessels. Marine Safety personnel also work alongside the Department of Defense to protect our critical military marine transportation infrastructure.

 Special thanks to Navy LT, Mike Spurgeon, who was the point man for the project.