Richard R. Gerard (EN1(SS) of South Lake Florida Base who served on USS Charr (SS-328) and the USS George Washington (SSBN-589) was awarded “Quilt of Valor Award” on February 10. Richard was on board the USS Charr during October 1956 during the Suez Crisis.
Later the USS Charr sailed to Japan, where they were submerged for 30 days. One incident was when the USS Charr was held down by Russian warships. One night all of the Charr batteries died. Every task had to be done manually. We had no idea whether we would survive,” Richard said. Finally, the Russian warships retreated, and the USS Charr was able to put up the snorkel mast, restart the engine and the oxygen supply was restored and the USS Charr headed back to Yokohama Naval Base, Japan.
When Richard was on the USS George Washington (SSBN-589), they were deployed and were part of the Cuba Missile Crisis blockade.
Bob Dickinson GMC(SS) of South Lake Florida Base who served on USS Queenfish (SS-393) was also awarded the “Quilt of Valor Award” on Feb 10. He survived 4 successful war patrols onboard the USS Queenfish (SS-393) sinking over 45000 tons of enemy shipping and personally sinking 2 enemy ships using the USS Queenfish’s 3-inch deck gun.
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What is the “Quilt of Valor” Award?
The QOV is a civilian award to our service members and veterans—it is not a gift or a present for surprises, birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, or other celebrations. The award of a QOV is like a personal award bestowed upon an individual by the military. A QOV has been earned and recipients are nominated based on their selfless service and sacrifice in defense of our Nation.
The Quilt of Valor® Foundation appreciates the service and sacrifice of those who are serving or have served in the Armed Forces and protects our freedoms. In 2003, Catherine Roberts, the QOVF Founder, created the concepts that underpin the QOVF mission statement: Quilt of Valor Mission: to cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.
