Capt. Elizabeth Nelson, commodore of Military Sealift Command Atlantic at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, presented the civil service mariner crew of USNS William McLean with the Presidential Unit Citation on Sept. 2, 2026, for an extraordinary deployment, supporting the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group during Operation Epic Fury. (LaShawn Sykes/U.S. Navy)
The Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS William Mclean received the military’s top award for valor by a unit in combat during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
Capt. Elizabeth Nelson, commodore of Military Sealift Command Atlantic at Norfolk, presented the civil service mariner crew with the Presidential Unit Citation on Wednesday, according to a Navy press release.
“You are the lifeline of the sea. McLean’s performance underscores the indispensable role that MSC’s CLF ships play in modern naval operations — ensuring U.S. and coalition forces remain forward, ready, and capable,” Nelson said.
MSC ships prolong the time Navy combat ships can remain at sea without a port call. McLean recently came back from a deployment to the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury. The crew was deployed for 179 days and served as a floating warehouse, replenishing fuel, ammo and stores for the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group.
Cmdr. Ryan Sisler, executive officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius, communicates with Boatswain’s Mates aboard the ship during a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS William McLean, Aug. 6, 2026. (Deven Fernandez/U.S. Navy)
The ship completed 70 replenishments, transferring more than 5 million gallons of fuel, moving 1,900 cargo pallets and transporting 70 people, according to the release.
“The crew is proud to have been included in the recognition afforded by the battle group’s receiving the PUC,” said Capt. Jeffrey Helfrich, McLean’s ship master. “The logistics support provided by William McLean was instrumental in the accomplishment of the mission.”
Though the Presidential Unit Citation is rarely given, it has notably been awarded to four other units this year.
Another MSC ship, the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha, received the Presidential Unit Citation in July. The award requires a level of heroism equivalent to what would qualify a person for a Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross or Air Force Cross.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth presented the award to the Ford carrier group in May.
The 66th Rescue Squadron and the 58th Rescue Squadron also received the award in May for acts of valor during the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
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