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Robert Dean Stethem Award Recipients
Robert Dean Stethem Award
The SW2 Robert D. Stethem Award (Chosen by NAVFAC) is presented in connection with the Seabee Birthday. It recognizes outstanding individual moral courage in support of the traditions of the Seabees while in the course of actual operations. The award was created by the CEC/Seabee Historical Foundation in 1996. The Navy Seabee Foundation continues to present this award to honor the memory of SW2 Stethem.
2025
UT1(SCW/EXW) Mason Rumble
The winner of the 2025 Steelworker Second Class Robert D. Stethem award is UT1(SCW/EXW) Mason Rumble from Naval Support Unit State Department. As lead Seabee technical security specialist for naval support unit, U.S. department of state, at U.S. embassy Tel Aviv from January through December 2025. He expertly led the critical upgrade of the embassy’s emergency notification system, providing invaluable early warning during missile attacks that directly safeguarded American diplomats and preserved mission integrity. Displaying unwavering courage, he consistently placed mission requirements above personal safety. His ingenuity under fire was decisive – during a missile barrage when he rapidly installed an improvised roof camera, enabling Marine security guards to effectively coordinate defensive actions, secure classified material, and protect all embassy personnel.
2024
BU1(SCW/EXW/DV) Aaron Brown from UCT2
The winner of the 2024 SW2 Robert Stethem award is BU1(SCW/EXW/DV) Aaron Brown from UCT2. Serving as the expeditionary warfare center Port Hueneme dive locker leading Chief Petty Officer and UCT 2, construction dive detachment bravo operations petty officer, BU1 Brown displayed exceptional leadership, technical expertise, and decisiveness during numerous underwater construction projects in austere environments. His heroic actions in saving a fellow sailor’s life during a diving operation demonstrated unparalleled moral courage and commitment to the Seabee mission. BU1 Brown’s technical expertise and leadership in executing eight high-risk subsea projects in hazardous conditions exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, sacrifice, and dedication to duty, reflecting the ideals of the Seabee community.
2023
CM1 Bryan Williams, NMCB Four
Petty Officer Williams Is recognized for his moral courage while serving as NMCB four logistics department cost control manager. Petty Officer Williams led a team of 65 sailors and five civilians in the maintenance and administrative assessment of 335 units of civil engineer support equipment, prior to the ready to deploy. With an upcoming readiness to deploy evaluation and 3m inspection, He was given only six weeks to revamp his battalion’s maintenance program and administration requirements that received a below average score in the initial self-assessment of 72%. As a result of his leadership and technical expertise, the command received an impressive above average score of 92% during the immediate superior in charge graded readiness to deploy evaluation and 3m inspection, directly contributing to the battalion’s certification to deploy Into INDOPACOM for major combat operations response.
2022
SW1 Siamac Moghaddam, CBMU 303
While serving as the CBMU 303, Flushing Operations Leading Petty Officer during the Red Hill Water Crisis from December 2021 to March 2022. Leading a Joint team of 20 personnel in filtration and flushing operations along with more than 300 military and civilian personnel from 22 Department of Defense Commands and personnel from the Environmental Protection Agency and Hawaii Department of Health, he ensured the proper water purging processes for 6,956 residential homes was executed with great precision over a 16-day period. His leadership and guidance aided in restoring confidence in the Navy’s water distribution system, allowing the military families to return to their residences confident in the safety of their drinking water.
2021
CE1(SCW/EXW) John Roxas
Awarded to CE1(SCW/EXW) John Roxas from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FOUR for his outstanding moral courage in leading 11 Seabees in a HADR mission to support American families on Timor Leste following heavy rainstorms. He spearheaded efforts to remove 44 CD of mud and debris, enabling our allies to restore operational capabilities.
2020
BU1(SCW/EXW) Travis M. Klawonn
For exhibiting outstanding moral courage in support of the traditions and legacy of the Seabees while serving as operations leading petty officer and project supervisor, detail Timor Leste and assistant officer in charge for exercise pacific partnership Fiji and Philippines 2020 for U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion THREE from January to December 2020. As operations Petty Officer and project supervisor for detail Timor Leste, he meticulously managed a crew of 20 Seabees and 11 Timor-Leste defense force engineers.
2019
SW1(SCW/EXW) Joanna M. Iglesias
SW1(SCW/EXW) Joanna M.Iglesias of Naval Special Warfare Group ONE Logistics and Support Unit was the 2019 recipient of the Steelworker Second Class Robert D. Stethem Award. SW1 Iglesias served as the Mobility Officer and Lead Logistics Coordinator for Seal Team Five in support of multiple operations throughout CENTCOM and INDOPACOM.
2018
SW1(SCW/EXW) Daniel C. Bittle
The 2018 Steelworker Second Class Robert D. Stethem Award was presented to SW1(SCW/EXW) Daniel C. Bittle of Naval Special Warfare Group TWO Logistics and Support Unit. Petty Officer Bittle deployed as the Logistics Chief for a remote out station in East Africa, where he was responsible for the leadership of the camp logistics department. He directed the air embarkation cell to receive and ship 230K pounds of cargo and managed $1.4M in mission critical life sustaining material for 75 joint service personnel and the transport of 150 personnel throughout the theater.
2017
CM1(SCW/DV) Brandon L. Burrow (NMCB74)
The 2017 Steelworker Second Class Robert D. Stethem Award was awarded to CM1(SCW/DV) Brandon L. Burrow of UCT ONE. Petty Officer Burrow oversaw his detachment’s redeployment for emergent humanitarian assistance to the government of Cameroon. He supervised an expedient joint U.S. Navy and Air Force embarkation of 38 short tons of mission critical diving equipment in 72 hours. While in Douala, he supervised 11 personnel to establish diving and hydrographic survey capabilities in 48 hours under challenging weather conditions. Upon discovery of a vessel mechanical failure, Petty Officer Burrow diligently motivated the detachment to reestablish diving capabilities on a second vessel of opportunity in order to continue the mission.
2016
CM1(SCW) Michael W. Price II
The 2016 Steelworker Second Class Robert D. Stethem Award was presented to CM1(SCW) Michael W. Price of Underwater Construction Team Two. Petty Officer First Class Michael Price was witness to a civilian helicopter crashing into the water near the USS Arizona Memorial. The helicopter came to rest inverted on the sea floor in forty feet of water, leaking significant amounts of jet fuel. Petty Officer Price witnessed the crash from hotel pier on base and responded by swimming over 100 meters to the site. Upon hearing that a young boy was trapped underwater, Petty Officer Price dove to the wreckage through floating debris and leaking fuel. to rescue the boy. CM1 helped bring him to shore and extract him from the water. As medical personnel attempted to resuscitate the young man, Petty Officer Price ignored his own wounds and continued to assist other passengers injured in the crash.
2015
BU1(SCW/EXW) Mark A. Wells
The winner of the 2015 steelworker second class Robert D. Stethem award is BU1(SCW/EXW) Mark A. Wells of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Five. In the remote and extreme environment of Ermera District of Timor-Leste, Petty Officer Wells led a team of 11 Seabees in the completion of two cable suspension bridges that spanned a cumulative 156 meters, in only 82 days. In addition, he concurrently led 26 personnel in the execution of four humanitarian civic assistance projects valued at over $300k which provided classrooms for 436 students and increased maternity and general clinic care capacity for the city of Dili, Timor-Leste. His relentless efforts to train, mentor, and motivate his crew while providing a critical facility to the region exemplified the legacy of SW2 Stethem and all Seabees past and present.
2014
UCCM(SCW) Steven K. Harvey
2013
BU2(SCW/DV) Joshua C. Knolla (UCT2)
2012
BUCS(SCW) Nicholas R. Mileham
2011
CUCM(SCW) Michael B. Hathaway
2010
EOCS Shane R. Potts
2009
CMC David B. Akins (NMCB74)
2008
BUC(SCW) Hugh R. Callahan (NMCB3)
2007
BUC(SCW) James D. Hix (NMCB74)
2006
CEC(SCW) Phillip W. Earhart (NMCB1)
2005
BU1(SCW/DV) James Hodge (UCT2)
2004
BUC(SCW) William J. Wright (NMCB4)
2003
BUC Cloves E. Tennis (NMCB4)
2002
HM1(SCW/DV) Jon K. Carlson (UCT1)
2001
CE1(SCW/DV) Todd J. Horne (UCT1)
2000
UT1(SCW) Courtney J. Wynia (NMCB40)
1999
EOC(SCW) Robert S. Noon (NMCB40)
1998
MM2 William P. Phillips
1997
HM2(DV) Samson Mata (UCT2)
1996
BUC(SCW/DV) Kirk J. Becker (UCT1)