ARLINGTON, Va. - Fifty years after he explored the deepest part of any ocean, the Department of the Navy presents its highest civilian recognition, the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, to retired Navy Capt. Dr. Don Walsh in a ceremony at the U.S. Navy Museum, Washington Navy Yard on April 15.
WHAT: Walsh is best-known as co-pilot in the January 1960 ONR-funded dive of the bathyscaphe (deep submergence vehicle) Trieste to the deepest part of the Mariana Trench in the Pacific. The award is the highest recognition that the Secretary of the Navy may offer a civilian for exceptional public service to the Navy. The award salutes Walsh's service in the years since his retirement in 1975. Walsh has served as a U.S. policy adviser on numerous State Department and government science boards, has authored more than 200 published contributions to marine literature and presented more than 1,500 lectures in 50 countries.
WHO:
- Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Nevin P. Carr, presenter of Trieste history
- Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy, Rear Adm. David W. Titley, award presenter
- Director of Naval Historical Center, Rear Adm. Jay A. DeLoach, presenter
- Dr. Don Walsh, former Trieste pilot
- George Martin, former Trieste pilot
- Dr. Sylvia Earle, Explorer-in-Residence, National Geographic Society
WHEN: April 15, Formal remarks 10 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.
WHERE: Washington, D.C., Naval Yard, U.S. Navy Museum, http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/org8-contact.html
CONTACT: Peter Vietti, ONR Corporate Strategic Communications; (703) 696-5031; peter.vietti@navy.mil
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
- Photo opportunity with Carr, Walsh, Titley and Dorsett at Trieste from 10:20 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- Interview availability with Walsh (historical observations), Carr (deep sea science and technology future) at Trieste from 10:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
- Public Q&A with Walsh from 10:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Visit ONR on Facebook: www.facebook.com/officeofnavalresearch
Released: Mar. 23, 2010