Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Devonte J. Bowers, son of George Taylor of Chicago, recently received a Letter of Appreciation from the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV), for assisting in tsunami relief efforts during Operation Unified Assistance in Southeast Asia, while assigned to United States Coast Guard Cutter Munro, homeported in Alameda, CA.
"Your fellow Americans are proud of you and what you accomplished, " said Gordon R. England, SECNAV. "You showed the world American compassion and mercy. At sea, ashore and in the air, you brought honor to yourselves and to our nation. "
Bowers, along with thousands of other U.S. Sailors and Marines, supported more than 6,000 flight hours, helping to deliver more than 20 million pounds of medicine, food and water. The supplies helped save thousands of lives and eased the suffering of thousands more.
USCG Munro is a high endurance cutter and its missions include search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, marine environmental protection, and national defense operations.
Bowers is a 2000 graduate of Lincoln Park High School, and joined the Coast Guard in July 2000. |
