R 301710Z APR 21
MARADMIN 237/21
MSGID/MARADMIN/CMC CD WASHINGTON DC// 
SUBJ/2021 BOB FELLER ACT OF VALOR AWARD FOUNDATION JERRY COLEMAN AWARD NOMINATION AND APPLICATION PROCESS//
AMPN/REF A IS EMAIL FROM CAPT GREGORY ZETTLER, PROGRAM MANAGER NAVY HYPERSONICS PROGRAM TO COMREL REQUESTING AWARD SUPPORT//
POC/HATTIE.POWELL-RAY/CIV/CMC WASHINGTON DC CD/TEL: 703-692-1528/EMAIL: HATTIE.POWELL-RAY@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  This message solicits nominations for the annual Jerry Coleman Award.
2.  In 2016, the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation established the Jerry Coleman Award, intended to recognize a Marine Staff Noncommissioned Officer (SNCO) who possesses outstanding leadership and unyielding support for the United States Marine Corps and the United States of America.  Jerry Coleman postponed his baseball career to serve his nation.  At the age of 18, he joined the Marine Corps as a Naval Aviation Cadet.  In World War II Coleman flew 57 combat missions, and in the Korean War he flew 63 close air support and interdiction strike missions, making him the only major league player to see combat in two wars.  Jerry Coleman retired from the Marine Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel.  He was also selected by the National Baseball Hall of Fame as the Ford C. Frick Award recipient as an announcer in 2005.  Coleman, despite all the success he had in his life, was most proud of being a Marine.
3.  This award is intended to recognize a Marine SNCO for outstanding leadership both on duty and in the civilian community.  The awardee will be recognized alongside the recipients of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award.  The awards will be presented at the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. on 18 November 2021, COVID-19 restrictions permitting.  Travel to and from, and lodging at the award site, will be the responsibility of the award winner's command.
4.  Nominees for the award must be Marine SNCOs, active or reserve, and must be outstanding military professionals and leaders in their communities.  The following selection criteria for nominees have been prescribed by the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation.  Nominees must:
A.  Be outstanding leaders in the performance of all professional responsibilities, inspire and serve as an example to peers and subordinates, have at least three years of consistent outstanding documented performance as a SNCO, and display good character and humility in their achievements.
B.  Demonstrate community leadership through volunteer service and hold leadership positions within the organizations they serve, display a genuine desire to be better today than they were yesterday and better tomorrow than they are today, and provide an outstanding example of character and dedication to service for all to emulate.
C.  Put the needs of others before the needs or wants of themselves.  This may be documented through evaluations and awards that show they led in the Marine Corps or in their community to benefit the professional and personal development of others, above and beyond their primary responsibilities.
D.  Show unyielding support for the United States and fellow servicemen and women by having participated in patriotic events that celebrate all who serve our great Nation.  These events should be documented individually in the nomination to show the depth of participation in various events over the past three years.
E.  Above all else, prove to be beyond reproach in the manner in which they conduct themselves, treat others, and live the Marine Corps core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment.
5.  Nomination packages.  Nomination packages must contain two elements:
A.  Narrative description.  Provide an account of the nominee's embodiment of the award criteria specified above.  This may include quantitative and qualitative data, anecdotal evidence such as newspaper articles, letters of commendation and appreciation, and other recognition.
B.  Nominee biography.  If chosen as the award recipient, the nominee's biography will be used in print and online material to publicize and document the award ceremony.  The biography should include hometown information as well as professional highlights and qualifications. 
C.  Additionally, Commanding Officers or Sergeants Major are encouraged to endorse the nomination.  Given the prestige of the award, the endorsement should reflect thoughtful consideration of the nominee’s merit.
6.  Submission procedures.  All nominations should be sent via email to:  gregory.zettler@ssp.navy.mil using both word/PDF document format with the following subject line:  “2021 JERRY COLEMAN AWARD NOMINATION ICO rank/name." 
7.  Deadline.  Nomination Packages must be received NLT 29 June 2021
8.  Selection process.  The Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation will make the selection of the winner and make notifications.
9.  For additional logistical details about this program, contact U.S. Navy CAPT Greg Zettler at 202-451-4400 or via email at gregory.zettler@ssp.navy.mil. 
10.  Additional information on the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation and Jerry Coleman Award can be found at the Foundation’s website:   www.actofvaloraward.org.
11.  Award recipients are reminded that if the value of any gifts received from the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation exceeds 250 dollars, award recipients must report the acceptance of gifts to their local Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) upon completion of travel.  The SJA must, in turn, report this information to HQMC Judge Advocate Division for semi-annual DOD reporting purposes.  SF 326 is authorized for use for this report.
12.  Release authorized by Brigadier General George B. Rowell IV, Director, Communication Directorate, HQMC.//