R 141300Z MAR 24
MARADMIN 130/24
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC AVN ES//
SUBJ/MARINE CORPS AVIATION AWARDS 2024 AWARD WINNERS//
REF/A/MSGID/DOC/MCO 1650.29H/YMD:20100922//
REF/B/MSGID/DOC/MCO P1020.34G/YMD:20030331//
AMPN/REF A IS MCO 1650.29H, THE AVIATION AWARDS ORDER. REF B IS MCO P1020.34G WITH CHG 1-5, THE MARINE CORPS UNIFORM REGULATIONS//
POC/P.A. WIKTOR/LTCOL/UNIT: HQMC AVN ES/TEL: DSN 223-4108/TEL: COM (703) 693-4108/EMAIL: PHILLIP.WIKTOR@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Congratulations to the following Marines and units on selection as the recipients of the Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) 2024 Aviation Awards.  Each category was extremely competitive, indicating exceptional leadership and dedication to mission accomplishment for all nominees.  Award winners will be recognized at the 52nd Annual MCAA Symposium in Dallas, TX on 21-23 May 2024.
2. The MCAA 2024 Aviation Awards are listed below:
 a. Alfred A. Cunningham Award
    (Marine Aviator of the Year):
    Maj Shane R. Gentry, VMU-3
 b. Robert Guy Robinson Award
    (Marine Naval Flight Officer of the Year):
    Capt William J. Bursaw, MAG-31
 c. Earle Hattaway Award
    (Marine Aviation Ground Officer of the Year):
    Capt Matthew C. Weber, MALS-26
 d. Robert F. Gibson Award
    (Marine Aviation Command and Control Officer of the Year):
    Capt Kevin V. Cao, MASS-3
 e. Silver Hawk Award
    (Earliest Naval Aviation Designation Date):
    LtGen Matthew G. Glavy, Deputy Commandant for Information
 f. Frank E. Petersen, Jr. Award
    (Marine Flight Student of the Year):
    1stLt Jack A. Cleary, MATSG-21
 g. Danny L. Radish Award
    (Marine Enlisted Aircrew of the Year):
    GySgt Taylor C. Coughlin, MAWTS-1
 h. Willie D. Sproule Award
    (Aviation Maintenance Marine of the Year):
    GySgt Christopher A. Stamps, VMM-162
 i. Kenneth W. Southcomb Award
    (Aviation Supply Marine of the Year):
    MSgt Dylan A. Theberge, MALS-12
 j. Paul G. Vess Award
    (Avionics Marine of the Year):
    Sgt Ryan C. Hart, VMM-162
 k. Gaines B. Gilbert Award
    (Aviation Ordnance Marine of the Year):
    Sgt Spencer G. Neitzke, VMX-1
 l. Kenneth A. Innis Award
    (Aviation Command and Control Marine of the Year):
    GySgt Daniel J. Tovar, 3d LAAB
 m. Jack W. Demmond Award
    (Aviation Ground Marine of the Year):
    Cpl Nathan R. Barr, MWSS-171
 n. James E. Nicholson Award
    (Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Award):
    Sgt Luis A. Morales, Jr., MWSS-373
 o. Michael A. Hough Acquisition Award
    (Acquisition Excellence in Marine Aviation):
    LtCol Leigh G. Irwin, PMA-266
 p. James Maguire Award (Exceptional Achievement):
    Capt Scott A. MacDonald, VMU-1
 q. Commandant's Aviation Trophy
    (Superior Performance in Marine Aviation):
    VMX-1
 r. Robert M. Hanson Award
    (Marine Fighter Attack Squadron of the Year):
    VMFA-242
 s. Lawson H. M. Sanderson Award
    (Marine Attack Squadron of the Year):
    VMA-231
 t. Henry Wildfang Award
   (Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron of the Year):
    VMGR-352
 u. Fred McCorkle Award
    (Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron of the Year):
    VMM-162
 v. Keith B. McCutcheon Award
    (Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron of the Year):
    HMH-462
 w. John P. Giguere Award
    (Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron of the Year):
    HMLA-169
 x. John I. Hudson Award
    (Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron of the Year):
    VMU-1
 y. Donald E. Davis Award
    (Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year):
    MALS-36
 z. James E. Hatch Award
    (Marine Wing Support Squadron of the Year)
    MWSS-372
 aa. Edward S. Fris Award
     (Marine Air Command and Control Unit of the Year):
     MASS-3
 ab. Pete Ross Award
     (Superior Performance in Marine Aviation Safety):
     HMLA-369
3. Travel and lodging details plus a schedule of events for individual award winners and unit recipients will be issued via separate correspondence. Individual award winners and unit recipients shall provide the HQMC point of contact below with the following information NLT 15 Apr 2024: full name and name of guest(s), work/mobile phone numbers (DSN/Comm), and work/personal email addresses.
4. In accordance with reference (b), attire/uniform requirements for the awards banquet on 23 May 2024 are evening dress "B" or SNCO evening dress, or blue dress "A", in order of precedence.  White trousers are not authorized for the awards presentation and banquet.
5. Public affairs guidance:
5.a.  Award winners will sign a privacy act statement and be briefed that information may be made available to civilian media.
6. Point of contact at HQMC Aviation is LtCol Phillip Wiktor, phillip.wiktor@usmc.mil, COM (703) 693-4108.
7. Release authorized by LtGen B. J. Gering, Deputy Commandant for Aviation.//