Distinguished Civilian Award

This award recognizes individuals whose work has been of significant importance to the Submarine Force. Some will be in high visibility positions, but of equal importance are those individuals who are less visible but whose work is best understood and appreciated by their associates on the submarine team.

2023 Awardee: CAPT Carl H. Oosterman, USN (Ret)

For meritorious service as Program Manager for Advanced Submarines and Facilities.

Mr. Oosterman’s 41-years of government service encompassed multiple key management assignments in the submarine and nuclear surface ship fields. He held top program management positions in the LOS ANGELES, SEAWOLF, OHIO, and VIRGINIA Class submarine projects where his responsibilities included propulsion plant design, manufacturing, construction, and testing. He was the principal member of the Navy team implementing the successful VIRGINIA Class Integrated Project and Process Development Program. He led initial sea trials on two SEAWOLF Class and five VIRGINIA Class submarines. Mr. Oosterman was the principal manager in initiating project development of the nuclear propulsion plant for the COLUMBIA Class strategic missile submarine. Beyond his involvement with submarine maintenance and construction he was assigned as program manager for recapitalizing and maintaining facilities at Naval Reactors laboratory sites. His program manager duties also included overall coordination of nuclear submarine propulsion research and development within the U. S. Navy and technology exchange with foreign governments. He formed a field office in the United Kingdom to improve the exchange of nuclear propulsion technology.

Mr. Oosterman’s accomplishments truly merit his being recognized as a national asset, and the recipient of the Naval Submarine League Distinguished Civilian Award.

Previous Awardees

2022

Stephen J. Trautman

2019

Steven Schulze
Sheila M. McNeill

2016

Dr. Edward G. Liszka

2021

Dr. Dr. John M. Huckabay

2018

Fred Harris
Bill Johnson

2015

Mr. Richard R. McNamara

2020

Dr. William F. Bundy
Donald F. McCormack
Eric S. Snider

2017

G. Daniel Tyler

2014

Mr. Thomas C. Conran