The crew of the USS Washington, a U.S. Navy submarine, has been awarded the prestigious Presidential Unit Citation. It was awarded to the crew for gathering “sensitive and unique” intelligence during a series of covert missions in Europe.
The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine received the top military unit award for operations carried out over the course of three deployments, covering 37,000 nautical miles. The Navy stated that the crew operated in high-risk environments and set a new record for days on station, though it did not disclose the exact locations of the submarine or the details of its missions.
The Navy did confirm that the USS Washington made stops in the Arctic, earning the newly created Arctic Service Medal for its operations in the region.
Senior Chief Austin Gilbert, the submarine’s chief enlisted officer, credited the crew’s resilience and long hours of training for their success.
The USS Washington’s missions are part of a long history of secretive operations conducted by the Navy’s submarine force. It has been recognized with numerous military honors for its intelligence work.
While the specific details of the USS Washington’s deployments remain classified, the Presidential Unit Citation highlights the significant impact the missions had on U.S. national security.
