Framed medal certificate of honor from the United States of America awarded to Captain William C. Hess, next to the Legion of Merit medal signed by the Secretary of the Navy "for the President of the United States.

Understanding the Legion of Merit

The Legion of Merit is the sixth-highest military decoration and the highest award that can be given for non-combat meritorious service. It was created in 1942 and is awarded for "exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services." For a Naval Reserve Captain, receiving the Legion of Merit represents recognition at the highest levels — the citation is signed by the Secretary of the Navy "For the President."

To put this in corporate terms: imagine being a part-time regional director who gets recognized by the CEO with the company's highest non-executive award, with a personal letter from the Chairman of the Board.

Please read the FULL write-up - important

VADM Nanos and RADM Israel present the Meritorious Service Medal to CAPT Curt Hess accompanied by wife Rev Tracey Moe
Display of various military service medals and ribbons on a white background earned by CAPT Curt Hess during his 36-years of uniformed service in the USNavy. Also included: Surface Warfare and Surface Engineering Duty Officer pins
A chronological timeline of notable accomplishments and career highlights including roles in US Navy nuclear submarine commissioning, fleet combat systems, graduate education, systems command headquarters, naval research and reserve leadership, and captain command tours, with specific dates and responsibilities listed.

1973-06 - Officer Candidate School, Newport RI

1973-08 - Commissioned as Ensign (O-1)

1973-08 - USS NIMITZ Pre-Commissioning Crew

1974 USS Forrestal (CVA-59) 3-months

1975 Nimitz - CAPT Brian Compton -Nimitz 1st Commanding Officer

1975-05 - Nimitz Commissioning

1975-05 Nimitz Memories - part 1

1975-08 - Promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade (O-2)

1975-08 as OOD on Nimitz Underway

1976-09 - Fleet Combat Direction Systems Support Activity

1977-09 - Promoted to Lieutenant (O-3)

1978-01 - Naval Postgraduate School

1980-09 - NAVELEXSYSCOM HQ - Computer Resources Division

1982-06 - NAVSEASYSCOM HQ - SEA 00Z Engineering Duty Community

1982-10 - Promoted to Lieutenant Commander (O-4)

1987-03 letter to CDR Selection Board

1987-06 - Office of Naval Research (ONR TAC306) - Training Officer

1988-09 - Promoted to Commander (O-5)

1990 - Naval Surface Warfare Center - Executive Officer

1992 - Naval Surface Warfare Center - Commanding Officer

1992 letter to CAPT Selection Board

1993 - Promoted to Captain (O-6)

1994 - Office of Naval Research Science and Technology - Commanding Officer

1996 - Aegis Program Reserve Program - Commanding Officer

1998 - Program Office Reserve Program - Commanding Officer

1996-10 - Office of Naval Research & PEO Tours

1997 - Meritorious Service Medal

1998 - Director Office of Naval Research Program Reserve Program

2003-10 - Navy Retirement

Click Here for More of Era-3

This link contains ALL my military accomplishments - from Ensign to Captain - really worth the read.