ARLINGTON, VA., March 22, 2023 – The Military Times Foundation and Military Times have announced that U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant Chelsea Sheehy has been awarded the prestigious “Coast Guardsman of the Year” award for 2023. Founded in 2001, the Military Times’ Service Member of the Year program honors outstanding military members from each branch of service who have demonstrated exemplary military service going beyond the call of duty. Sheehy’s exceptional service as commander of the 154-foot fast response Coast Guard cutter Charles Sexton has earned her this distinction. A formal award ceremony will take place on July 18, 2023, in Washington, D.C.
Based in Key West, FL, the Charles, patrols the western Caribbean Sea for illicit trafficking, rescue missions, and cooperation with interagency partners between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. In 2022, Lt. Sheehy led her crew through a number of successful interdiction and rescue missions, including rescuing 15 people from a derelict vessel in April and rescuing migrants from a capsized vessel in May. She also returned almost 200 migrants to Cuba throughout the year. Additionally, Sheehy served as the senior USCG representative coordinating response operations onboard USNS Comfort, responding to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Haiti.
As part of her leadership role, Lt. Sheehy teaches and mentors crew members to meet their qualification goals and next steps for career advancement. She was praised by her nominators for her leadership, devotion to her crew, and willingness to stand up for them to ensure their needs are met. Sheehy was selected for promotion above zone in 2023 and will be promoted to lieutenant commander a year ahead of her peers.
“Congratulations to Lieutenant Chelsea Sheehy on being named the 2023 Coast Guardsman of the Year,” said Michael Reinstein, Chairman of Military Times Foundation. “Her exemplary leadership, commitment to service, and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty have earned her this prestigious recognition. Lt. Sheehy’s dedication to her crew, as well as her outstanding performance in rescue and interdiction missions, reflect the very best of the United States Coast Guard.”
The Military Times Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) established to recognize, salute and highlight the exemplary service of active duty personnel serving in each branch of the U.S. Armed Services.
The annual Military Times Service Members of the Year Award has grown into a much-anticipated event. The awards ceremony has become one of Washington D.C.’s A-list events attended by congressional, military and community leaders. Since 2019 Military Times and the Military Times Foundation have donated over $15 million in cash and media value to support over 150 military and veteran service organizations, such as Fisher House, Children of Fallen Patriots, TAPS, Objective Zero and others.
The full story about Guard Lieutenant Chelsea Sheehy can be found on NavyTimes.com
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Contact
Kelly Facer
703-585-9523
kfacer@mco.com
servicemembersoftheyear.org
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