Public Affairs Specialist 2nd Class Lauren Smith

Petty Officer Smith exemplifies the Coast Guard's core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty. "She has distinguished herself from her peers through her untiring motivation, outstanding professional knowledge and a special commitment to excellence," says one of her former unit officers. In a billet normally assigned to a more senior petty officer, Petty Officer Smith excelled. As a public affairs specialist in her most recent assignment in Hawaii, she contributed to more than 40 articles for local, national and international newspapers that portrayed the Coast Guard in a positive light, most notably during the Ehime Maru tragedy. She was selected by the Coast Guard to travel to Hong Kong to coordinate media coverage of the International Search and Rescue Demonstration in May of 2002. She was also selected by the Department of Defense for work in media relations for Camp X-Ray in Guantanamo, Cuba. And, why is she always selected? Her supervisor commented, "Petty Officer Smith is the model military person. She is hard-working, enthusiastic, professional, intelligent, personable and always willing to go that extra mile to get a job done right. Her ability to keep a cool head when all around her is chaotic is remarkable." "Her achievements make her an excellent example for other young petty officers, who routinely seek her out for guidance and advice," said her supervisor.

Despite her busy schedule, Petty Officer Smith is working to earn her bachelor's degree in communications at Chaminade University and also finds time to give back to the community through numerous volunteer activities. She helped organize a Memorial Day floral tribute for the USS Arizona and has also provided volunteer time to the National Park Service, Hawaii Youth Symphony Organization, the Coast Guard Auxiliary and served as an adult leader with a local Girl Scout Troop. "She has a deep sense of commitment to her unit and the community that is not normally associated with junior personnel," said a colleague. "She truly is an everyday hero who dedicates her time and effort to help others without looking for recognition."