NCIS Hawaii Special Agents, Staff Awarded

From Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert Stirrup, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

May 6, 2010 - PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Personnel assigned to Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Field Office Hawaii were awarded the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) medal for the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) during an awards ceremony aboard the Battleship Missouri Memorial May 3.

Mark Clookie, director of NCIS, presented the award to 12 special agents and staff.

"We are here to express appreciation to our personnel that have gone in harm's way to protect the freedom of our country," said Clookie. "Today, we pay a special tribute for everything that you all have achieved."

The honorable Edward H. Kubo Jr., circuit court judge of the first circuit (Oahu), served as the guest speaker for the ceremony and thanked the awardees for their service.

"I want to thank each and every one of you for all that you've done for our country, the military and the state of Hawaii," Kubo said. "I am extremely honored to be a part of this great event as we honor our special agents and staff for their service to their country."

Kubo also talked about the significance of NCIS's work throughout the world.

"The NCIS has established itself as an elite organization providing top-notch security, counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism anywhere they are needed," said Kubo

Special Agent (SA) Henry Roney, special agent in charge of NCIS Field Office Hawaii, noted the importance of paying tribute to the agents and staff.

"Our agents sacrifice their time and their family's time, putting themselves through danger to protect our country," said Roney. "It really is an honor to recognize the awardees with the SECDEF GWOT medal and in a well-deserved way."

The awardees included Mr. Wayne Chang; Ms. Elizabeth Faulkner; SA Robert Flannery; SA James Heddlesten; SA Louis Lockhard; SA Tony Richardson; SA Glenn Roessler; SA John Smallman; SA Amanda Smoot Tolentino; SA Peter Tolentino; SA Christopher Leaden; and SA James Nettleton.

The Secretary of Defense medal for the Global War on Terrorism was created to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of the civilian workforce of the Department of Defense in direct support of the nation's armed forces, whose members are engaged in operations to combat terrorism.