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RADM Lewis B. Combs Award Recipients
RADM Lewis B. Combs Award
The RADM Lewis B. Combs Award (Chosen by NAVFAC) is presented in connection with the Seabee Birthday. It is presented to the individual who has made the most outstanding contribution in perpetuating the legacy of the Seabees and the Civil Engineer Corps. 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 RADM Combs.
2025
CE1 (SCW/EXW) Priscilla Alvarez
The 2025 Rear Admiral Lewis B. Combs was awarded to CE1 (SCW/EXW) Priscilla Alvarez from naval support unit state department. As acting engineering security officer in charge for U.S. embassy Berlin, Petty Officer Alvarez distinguished herself by assuming the responsibilities of both senior foreign service officer and technical-security billets during a five-month gap, serving as the mission’s sole technician and acting security engineering officer in charge. She ensured uninterrupted diplomatic-security operations during a period of heightened geopolitical tension, coordinating directly with the ambassador, consul generals, and the regional security officer while safeguarding a mission platform central to north Atlantic treaty organization cooperation and U.S. foreign-policy execution.
2024
LT Peter Schmillen
The winner of the 2024 RADM Lewis B. Combs award is LT Peter Schmillen from underwater construction team (UCT) two. As operations officer for UCT two, LT Schmillen led 54 personnel in the readiness and deployment of three construction dive detachments supporting the U.S. Pacific fleet, managing a $60m table of allowance and $2m in annual project funds. His leadership was vital during valiant shield 2024, where he commanded an expeditionary port damage repair and opening task unit supporting an advanced naval base in Palau. Lt Schmillen’s strategic planning and expertise in naval construction forces and navy expeditionary combat forces led to the successful completion of 15 missions across 11 locations in the USINDOPACOM.
2023
CUCS Anthony Thibodeaux NMCB-One
The winner of the 2023 RADM Lewis b. Combs award is CUCS(SCW/EXW) Anthony Thibodeaux from naval mobile construction battalion (NMCB) one. Senior Chief Thibodeaux is recognized for his meritorious service and sustained superior performance of his duties while serving as operations chief for NMCB One. Throughout fiscal year 2023, senior chief Thibodeaux superbly organized 580 Seabees to execute four phases of the fleet response training plan,including a six-month deployment in support of NORTHCOM, EUCOM, AFRICOM, and INDOPACOM. Senior Chief Thibodeaux set a new standard for excellence through his team’s execution of six joint and Multinational exercises.
2022
LT Kody Price, NMCB 4
For outstanding contributions in having distinguished himself, the Civil Engineer Corps and Seabee community, by perpetuating the legacy of accomplishments and traditions of the Seabees past, present, and future while serving as India company commander and detail Tinian officer in charge for U.S Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Four from 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2022. LT Price led over 150 sailors in the largest prototype naval construction force design construction company encompassing all forward damage repair capabilities including airfield damage repair, port damage repair, ground lines of communication construction, bridging, and advanced base construction.
2021
LT Kelsey Robinson
The 2021 Combs Award recipient is LT Kelsey Robinson from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion ELEVEN, presented for her outstanding contribution to NAVFAC and the NCF while spearheading multiple multi-million projects at PWD Kings Bay and NMCB 11. Her leadership and expertise enabled flawless execution of contracts with cost savings and schedule reduction.
2020
LTJG Jacob L. Waggoner
For outstanding contributions while serving as operations Officer for Underwater Construction Team Two from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020. Lieutenant Junior Grade Jacob Waggoner demonstrated outstanding leadership in planning and executing 366 continuous days of waterfront construction operations dispersed across eleven geographically diverse locations in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
2019
EOCS(SCW/EXW) Matthew P. Dooley
The recipient of the 2019 Rear Admiral Lewis B. Combs Award was EOCS(SCW/EXW) Matthew P. Dooley of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion ELEVEN. EOCS Dooley served as the Battalion Operations Chief providing operation oversight of 600 forward deployed Seabees engaged in construction readiness.
2018
LCDR Jonathan M. Pilon
The 2018 Rear Admiral Lewis B. Combs Award was presented to LCDR Johnathon M. Pilon of THIRTIETH Naval Construction Regiment (30 NCR). LCDR Pilon served as Assistant Operations Officer responsible for the operational oversight of 1,840 forward deployed engineers engaged in construction readiness. He displayed exceptional leadership as he drove Seabee operations throughout the Indonesia Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) area of responsibility (AOR)
2017
LCDR Jason K. Ward
2016
BUC(SCW) Efraim A. Uribe
2015
CUCM(SCW) David Olayo
2014
CECS(SCW/EXW) Cory T. Wright
2013
LTJG Mark A. Guida (NMCB3)
2012
CWO3(SCW) Christopher R. Vollmer
2011
CUCM(SCW) Joshua J. Schlegel
2010
EOCS(SCW) Joseph Hampton (NMCB5)
2009
LT Christopher B. Allen (NMCB11)
2008
UT1 Leslie Cowan (NMCB4)
2007
BU3 Peter R. Herrick (NMCB14)
2006
BU1(SCW) Grant C. Glover (NMCB4)
2005
CECS(SCW/FMF) Perry Pitchford
2004
LT Jeffrey E. McCoy (NMCB4)
2003
CWO2 Kenneth M. Tyler (NMCB4)
2002
EOCS(SCW) Jeffrey W. Steady (NMCB74)
2001
LT Joel K. Sensenig (NMCB133)
2000
EOC(SCW) Daniel O. O’Neal(NMCB7
1999
BU1(SCW) Frederick K. Welch (NMCB7)
1998
BUCS(SCW) Jeffery L. Green (NCTC Gpt)
1997
CDR Gary Engle (NMCB133)
1996
LT Paula K. Lair (NMCB40)