October 3, 2015, Boston -- The Theodore Roosevelt Association (TRA) today is honoring U.S. Navy Lieutenant Brian T. Conner with the Theodore Roosevelt® Junior Officer Leadership Award. This award, given annually by the TRA since 1992, recognizes young officers serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) who exemplify the exceptional leadership, pride, professionalism, and dedication to duty that were inherent in President Theodore Roosevelt.
A St. Petersburg, Florida native, Lt. Conner has served as CVN-71’s assistant navigator since September 2014. After enlisting in the Navy in 1993 and serving in a variety of positions, Lt. Conner’s first operational assignment was with HSL-51 Warlords in Atsugi, Japan, where he served as Detachment Five training officer on board USS McCambell in support of Seventh Fleet operations. Lt. Conner was then handpicked to serve as the assistant officer in charge and maintenance officer of Detachment Three, the only operational SH-60B detachment on board USS George Washington. He then served as HSL-51’s assistant maintenance officer until his transfer. In July 2011, Lt. Conner reported to HSM-40 for instructor duty. There he served as the CNAF SH-60B NATOPS evaluator.
Previously honored with the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, and various campaign and service awards, Lt. Conner has served the USS TR with a high degree of excellence, earning him this highly distinguished award.
The TRA is bestowing Lt. Conner with the Theodore Roosevelt® Junior Officer Leadership Award as part of its 96th Annual Meeting in Boston. “TRA members really look forward to our presentation of the Junior Officer Leadership Award,” said TRA president, Tweed Roosevelt, a great-grandson of Theodore Roosevelt. “It is always heartwarming to have the chance to participate in honoring a very promising young naval officer who represents the very best of America's youth.”
The TRA is a congressionally chartered non-profit historical and public service organization dedicated to perpetuating the memory and ideals of Theodore Roosevelt. More information about the TRA and its relationship with USS Theodore Roosevelt is available online.
The fourth of 10 Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, USS Theodore Roosevelt, was commissioned on October 25, 1986 and has had a storied history of supporting naval operations around the globe. She just returned to the operational fleet after completing a four-year overhaul and currently is at sea as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, supporting targeted air strikes in Iraq and Syria. The TRA has been a support organization for USS Theodore Roosevelt since her commissioning. In addition to annually bestowing the Theodore Roosevelt® Junior Officer of the Year Award, the TRA also has helped outfit the ship’s on-board museum, chapel, library and crew lounge, and maintains active ties with her crew and leadership.
The TRA is a congressionally chartered non-profit historical and public service organization dedicated to perpetuating the memory and ideals of Theodore Roosevelt. More information about the TRA and its relationship with USS Theodore Roosevelt is available online.
Theodore Roosevelt Association
50 Audrey Avenue
P.O. Box 719
Oyster Bay, NY 11771
For Further Information:
Laurence Pels
516-921-6319 Ext 11
lpels@theodoreroosevelt.org