R 261952Z MAR 25
MARADMIN 165/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC AVN ES//
SUBJ/MARINE CORPS AVIATION AWARDS 2025 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/J.W. STAPLETON/LTCOL/UNIT: HQMC AVN ES/ TEL: DSN 223-4108/
TEL: COM (703)693-4108/EMAIL: JASON.STAPLETON@USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Congratulations to the following Marines and
units on selection as the recipients of the Marine Corps Aviation
Association (MCAA) 2025 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 53rd Annual MCAA Symposium in
Dallas, TX on 13-15 May 2025.
2. The 2025 Marine Corps Aviation Awards are listed below:
 a. Alfred A. Cunningham Award
    (Marine Aviator of the Year):
    Maj Zachary M. Sessa, VMFA-314
 b. Robert Guy Robinson Award
    (Marine Naval Flight Officer of the Year):
    Maj John P. Baum, VMFA-232
 c. James W. Frey Award
    (Marine Unmanned Aerial Systems Officer of the Year):
    Maj Fabio Garciaquiroga, VMU-1
 d. Earle Hattaway Award
    (Marine Aviation Ground Officer of the Year):
    CWO2 Jacob S. Kelderhouse, VMM-365
 e. Robert F. Gibson Award
    (Marine Aviation Command and Control Officer of the Year):
    Capt Geoffrey M. Justice, MACS-2
 f. Silver Hawk Award
    (Earliest Naval Aviation Designation Date):
    LtGen Gregory L. Masiello, Director, DCMA
 g. Frank E. Petersen, Jr. Award
    (Marine Flight Student of the Year):
    1stLt Christopher G. Daker, MATSG-21
 h. Danny L. Radish Award
    (Marine Enlisted Aircrew of the Year):
    SSgt Andre M. Doss, VMM-261
 i. Pioneer Award
    (Marine Enlisted UAS Sensor Operator of the Year):
    SSgt Christian Hurtado, VMU-1
 j. Willie D. Sproule Award
    (Aviation Maintenance Marine of the Year):
    SSgt Douglas R. Gantt, VMFA-122
 k. Kenneth W. Southcomb Award
    (Aviation Supply Marine of the Year):
    Sgt Amy J. Zetino, MALS-13
 l. Paul G. Vess Award
    (Avionics Marine of the Year):
    SSgt Coy T. Pendergraft, HMLA-269
 m. Gaines B. Gilbert Award
    (Aviation Ordnance Marine of the Year):
    Sgt Sarah D. Ashford, MALS-14
 n. Kenneth A. Innis Award
    (Aviation Command and Control Marine of the Year):
    MSgt Allen L. Hancock, MACS-2
 o. Jack W. Demmond Award
    (Aviation Ground Marine of the Year):
    Sgt Aiden J. Whelan, MWSS-174
 p. James E. Nicholson Award
    (Noncommissioned Officer Leadership Award):
    Sgt Kyle B. Turner, VMM-363
 q. Michael A. Hough Acquisition Award
    (Acquisition Excellence in Marine Aviation):
    LtCol Joseph J. Davin, PMA-274
 r. James Maguire Award
    (Exceptional Achievement):
    Sgt Roberto E. CastilloDavidson, MWCS-18
 s. Commandant’s Aviation Trophy
    Superior Performance in Marine Aviation:
    MWSS-172
 t. Robert M. Hanson Award
    (Marine Fighter Attack Squadron of the Year):
    VMFA-314
 u. Lawson H. M. Sanderson Award
    (Marine Attack Squadron of the Year):
    VMA-223
 v. Henry Wildfang Award
    (Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron of the Year):
    VMGR-252
 w. Fred McCorkle Award
    (Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron of the Year):
    VMM-365
 x. Keith B. McCutcheon Award
    (Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron of the Year):
    HMH-466
 y. John P. Giguere Award
    (Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron of the Year):
    HMLA-367
 z. John I. Hudson Award
    (Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron of the Year):
    VMU-1
 aa. Donald E. Davis Award
    (Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year):
    MALS-39
 ab. James E. Hatch Award
    (Marine Wing Support Squadron of the Year)
    MWSS-371
 ac. Edward S. Fris Award
     (Marine Air Command and Control Unit of the Year):
     MACS-2
 ad. Pete Ross Award
    (Superior Performance in Marine Aviation Safety):
     VMM-268
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 14 Apr 2025: 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 15 May 2025 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 Jason Stapleton,
jason.stapleton@usmc.mil, COM (703) 693-4108.
7. Release authorized by LtGen B. J. Gering,
Deputy Commandant for Aviation.//