WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) was presented with the Navy’s highest civilian honor, the Distinguished Public Service Award, in recognition of his commitment to the Navy, Marine Corps and Department of the Navy as a whole.

In presenting the award to Senator King, Rear Admiral Craig Faller, the Navy’s Chief of Legislative Affairs, cited Senator King’s dedicated work on the Senate Armed Services, Intelligence, and Budget Committees to support Sailors and Marines and their families and help ensure that the Navy and Marine Corps have the resources necessary to be the most capable fighting force in the world.

            “I am deeply humbled to receive this honor, and I accept it on behalf of the people of Maine, many of whom serve or have served in the Navy and Marine Corps – and all of whom wholeheartedly support our brave military men and women,” Senator King said. “I have had the great honor of meeting hundreds of Sailors and Marines during my time in the Senate, and I am always struck by their professionalism, their bravery, and their dedication to protecting us and our nation. I will continue to fight for them and their families every day I am in the Senate.”

The citation presented to Senator King today reads:

“For exceptional service to the Department of the Navy as a member of Congress and the Senate Armed Services, Intelligence, and Budget Committees. Senator King’s dedicated service to our Sailors and Marines ensured they were provided the resources necessary to support and defend the Nation’s interests around the globe. His strong leadership and tireless efforts as a member of the Armed Services Subcommittees on Personnel, Seapower, and Strategic Forces directly impacted the quality of life for the men and women of the Department of the Navy, guaranteed the highest levels of sustainability for our combat forces, and ensured that the Navy-Marine Corps team was the most capable force in history. With grateful appreciation for his many years of public service to the Nation and for his outstanding contributions to the Navy and Marine Corps, the Honorable Angus King is awarded the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award.”

The Navy’s Distinguished Public Service award, established in 1951, is the highest public service honor bestowed by the Department of the Navy and is awarded to civilians for service that benefits the Navy, Marine Corps and Department of the Navy.

Links to photos are below:

Photo 1: Rear Admiral Craig Faller presents Senator King with the Distinguished Public Service Award, the Navy’s highest civilian honor.

Photo 2: Rear Admiral Craig Faller presents Senator King with the Distinguished Public Service Award, the Navy’s highest civilian honor.

Photo 3: Rear Admiral Craig Faller presents Senator King with the Distinguished Public Service Award, the Navy’s highest civilian honor.

Photo 4: Senator King’s Distinguished Public Service Award presented by Rear Admiral Craig Faller.

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