2011 Director’s Community Leadership Awards

The Milwaukee Division is pleased to honor Garry Henning for his work as executive director of the Quadrevion Henning Foundation (QHF), which supports child safety education and awareness.

In 2006, Quadrevion Henning and Purvis Parker drowned in a pond at a local park. The disappearance of the two boys gripped the community and drew attention from local and national media, which feared a potential double-child abduction. Sadly, a month later, the boys’ bodies were recovered. Investigators determined that Quadrevion Henning—Mr. Henning’s grandson—had attempted to save his friend who had fallen into the pond.

Mr. Henning has dedicated his life to preserving the memory of his grandson and his grandson’s friend by promoting child safety awareness. He regularly supports the efforts of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and travels nationwide speaking on behalf of the QHF at schools, youth centers, churches, and other public venues.

QHF encourages family-based activities through community sporting events such as QHF Football League games and the annual QHF Bowling for Youth Education and Safety fundraiser.

Mr. Henning graduated from the FBI Citizens Academy in 2008.

2011 Director’s Community Leadership Awards

Allison Melangton accepts the award on behalf of the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee.

The Indianapolis Division is pleased to honor the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee for working as a liaison between the National Football League and the Indianapolis community.

The non-profit 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee worked to centralize the planning and execution of the overall Super Bowl event. This included managing available local resources and volunteer services, maximizing education opportunities, and engaging community, city, and state organizations in the process.

Host Committee Chief Executive Officer Allison Melangton made a tremendous effort to promote public safety as a part of the 2012 event. Her efforts have created a positive framework for future crime prevention.

Mrs. Melangton is a 2009 graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy. After attending the class, she recommended that two of her senior staff attend the academy in 2010. The 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee has provided the FBI with increased connectivity to other law enforcement partners.

The FBI Recognizes Pablo Sandoval for Protecting San Francisco Children

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s San Francisco Division honored Pablo Sandoval, of the San Francisco Giants, for taking a leadership role to help protect Bay Area children today.

Sandoval received a certificate of appreciation for partnering with the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)/FBI National ID Program to provide 50,000 Child ID Kits to children in the San Francisco community.

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Stephanie Douglas presented the award along with an official FBI San Francisco patch and coin at the Phillip Burton Federal Building today.

“Professional athletes often are called heroes, but Pablo is a real hero today,” said SAC Douglas. “The FBI and the National Child ID Program are looking forward to teaming up with Pablo to keep our children and community safe.”

Child ID kits will be distributed in the community throughout the fall by the FBI and local law enforcement. The kits include an inkless fingerprint identification card, inkless fingerprinting black image applicator, and two sterile cotton swabs to collect DNA. These kits are meant to be completed and stored at home by the child’s guardian.

“The AFCA/FBI National Child ID Program is excited to partner with Pablo and grateful for his commitment to help protect the children of San Francisco,” said Kenny Hansmire, the AFCA/FBI National Child ID Program executive director. “Pablo is a professional athlete who understands the importance of investing back in the community that supports you, and 50,000 children in San Francisco will be safer due to his efforts.”

The America Football Coaches Association (AFCA) created the National Child Identification Program (NCIDP) in 1997. In December 2001, the FBI joined the partnership with the AFCA. This is the only program that has the backing of the FBI.

Members of the media should call Public Affairs Specialist Julianne Sohn, FBI San Francisco at 415-553-7450. Groups interested in finding out more about the National Child ID Program should call Community Outreach Specialist Alicia Sensibaugh at 415-558-2505.

Shipmate of the Week – LT Bill McKinstry

Posted by: LTJG Stephanie Young

In this era of rapid change, we all too often ignore history and define ourselves in terms of where we are headed and not where we have come from. But history matters, and Lt. Bill McKinstry is doing his part to make sure that the U.S. Coast Guard remembers its heritage.

McKinstry’s journey into history began by chance when the son of a Coast Guard veteran stopped by the quarterdeck of Sector Delaware Bay in late 2007 with his father’s scrapbook. His father had recently passed and the son wanted to share the photos.

McKinstry met with the son and talked about the service as they reminisced over old memories. Amongst the photo collection, there were some of a Coast Guard basketball team. It was upon scanning the photos that McKinstry noticed the players’ names listed on the back of a photo. As he glanced over the names, one name, Emlen Tunnell, looked familiar.

 “Familiar” was an understatement, as this was the Emlen Tunnel – the Pro Football Hall of Famer and record breaker. Guided by this recognizable name, McKinstry set out to research what Tunnell did during his service with the Coast Guard. Over the next four years, McKinstry purchased books, poured through historic documents and collected every bit of information he could find about this Coast Guardsman turned football player.

What he found was not just trivia, but evidence of a man, who in his short time in service, was a true Coast Guard leader and hero.

It was already known that Tunnell saved a life during combat while aboard the USS Etamin, but during McKinstry’s research it was discovered that he was also recommended for a Silver Lifesaving Medal for another heroic act where he saved a shipmate from drowning in the freezing waters of Newfoundland, something not even mentioned in Tunnell’s own memoir.

“I think the thing that surprised me the most was how humble he was about it,” said McKinstry. “You aren’t going to find anything about his heroism on the Internet. In his autobiography he actually mentions it more in passing than really focusing on it.”

Through his time in the Coast Guard, McKinstry has learned that one of the keys to being a good leader is recognizing your people. Tunnell would be no exception.

“When I see someone deserving who needs recognition I go out of my way to see it happen,” said McKinstry. “In this case, when talking of the prejudices of the time and when the original award recommendation was submitted [about three weeks before he was discharged], I felt that he needed to be recognized.”

McKinstry, working with Coast Guard historians and the Medals and Awards Program, has resubmitted Tunnell’s recommendation for the Silver Lifesaving Medal and hopes to one day present it to a member of Tunnell’s family.

The history of the Coast Guard and its people plays a role in shaping its values and beliefs, but in our fast paced lives it is not uncommon to underestimate the power of this history. McKinstry and his efforts reminds us that to define the Coast Guard by what we have in store for the service, pales in comparison against the service’s rich past.

History: Emlen Tunnell, an unsung hero

Posted by: LTJG Stephanie Young

Written by Dr. David Rosen, Coast Guard Historian

As we head into Super Bowl weekend, it seems only fitting that this month’s history post shares the story of Emlen Tunnell. When most people hear the name Emlen Tunnell, they think of the star athlete and the first black member of the New York football Giants, joining the team in 1948. Nicknamed “Mr. Defense,” the former halfback switched to defense for the Giants, setting records for interceptions and punt returns in 1952 and 1953 – both records that remained unbroken until his death in 1975, with his interception total of 79 still falling only two short of all time interception leader Paul Krause.

Tunnell would end his storied career with the Green Bay Packers in 1961 and, in 1967, become the first African American inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As fans across America marveled over Mr. Defense’s on-field leadership and heroics, his accomplishments were hardly surprising to those who witnessed his valor and heroism as a Coast Guardsman during World War II.

Tunnell served honorably from 1943-46 as a steward’s mate aboard several ships – twice cited for exceptional acts of heroism.

On April 27, 1944, the Coast Guard-manned cargo ship USS Etamin was unloading 6000 tons of explosives and gasoline while at anchor at Aitape Harbor, Papua New Guinea. Without warning, Etamin was attacked by Japanese aircraft and a torpedo blew a hole 27 feet by 27 feet in the ship’s starboard side.

With the shell plating and shaft alley of Etamin ruptured, gasoline sprayed over the after part of the ship, creating a dangerous situation for all aboard. It was Coast Guard Steward’s Mate Emlen Lewis Tunnel who came to the aid of Mechanics Mate First Class Fred Shaver, who was on fire, pulling him to safety and severely burning his own hands in the process.

Tunnell, who was known to speak in football metaphors, later recalled the sinking ship as, “a small, tough fullback, without much speed, pounding forward every minute of the game.”

On March 17, 1946, Tunnell was nominated for the Silver Lifesaving Medal for once again saving the life of a fellow shipmate.

His shipmate, Alfred Givens, fell off the dock of the Coast Guard Cutter Tampa. Without regard to his own safety, Tunnell jumped into the 32-degree seas and rescued Givens. Tunnell saved his drowning shipmate, and despite being in the water for only fifteen minutes, suffered exposure and shock.

In recognition of Tunnell’s heroic actions, the commanding officer of Tampa, Cmdr. Ralph Jenkins, nominated Tunnell for the Silver Lifesaving Medal. A momentous occasion considering African Americans were not customarily awarded medals at that time in our history. He would receive a posthumous Combat Action Ribbon and is currently being considered for a Silver Lifesaving Medal.