Our Awards Program

Honoring Coast Guard Excellence by Recognizing Aviators, Enlisted Aircrew, and Leaders with Prestigious Awards for Dedication, Service, and Professional Achievement in Maritime History and Aviation.

Ancient Albatross (Gold)

The Ancient Albatross Officer Aviator Award was instituted in 1966 to honor the Coast Guard Aviator on active duty holding the earliest designation in recognition of clear defiance of the private realm of the albatross and all it seabird kin while in pursuit of the time-honored Coast Guard duties.

The Ancient Albatross Officer Award is sponsored by Airbus Group and Sikorsky Aircraft.

The Foundation for Coast Guard History takes great pleasure in presenting this unique print of the Curtiss F-Boat to the Ancient Gold Albatross. Painted by renowned maritime artist and retired Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer William RaVell, III, it was commissioned by the FCGH specifically and exclusively for presentation to present and future Gold and Silver Ancient Albatross. It is signed and numbered by the artist.

This aircraft, and the aviators who proudly flew in her, exemplify the Lifesaver, protector, and Warrior persona that sets Coast Guardsmen apart from all others who are naval aviators. The Foundation for Coast Guard History believes this painting is a most fitting tribute to the Coast Guard’s senior most aviators.

VADM Wililam D. Shields	30 Dec 1965
RADM Charles Tighe	27 Aug 1966
ADM Chester R. Bender	28 Aug 1970
CDR Walter R. Goldhammer	01 June 1974
RADM Chester. A. Richmond, Jr.	01 July 1975
ADCMAP John P. Greathouse	01 July 1977
CAPT William D. Harvey	23 Feb 1979
VADM Charles E. Larkin	05 Sept 1979
RADM Frederick P. Schubert	31 July 1984
VADM Donald C. Thompson	24 May 1985
RADM Edward Nelson, Jr.	08 June 1988
VADM Clyde E. Robbins	19 May 1989
VADM Howard B. Thorsen	05 June 1990
RADM George D. Passmore	27 June 1991
RADM Thomas T. Matteson	05 June 1992
RADM William C. Donnell	19 June 1993
VADM Richard D. Herr	23 May 1997
RADM Edward J. Barrett	30 June 1998
RADM James C. Olson	14 July 2000**
RADM David W. Kunkel	13 May 2006
VADM Vivien S. Crea	26 June 2008
RADM Gary T. Blore	1 October 2009
VADM John P.Currier	14 July 2011
RADM John H. Korn	4 June 2014
VADM Charlie Ray	6 April 2015
RADM Melvin W. Bouboulis	22 April 2021

Ancient Albatross (Silver)

In 1988 the Enlisted Ancient Albatross Award was established to honor the Coast Guard enlisted aircrew member on active duty with the earliest graduation date from an aviation technical school.

The Ancient Albatross Enlisted Trophy is sponsored by Airbus Group and Sikorsky Aircraft

The Foundation for Coast Guard History takes great pleasure in presenting this unique print of the Curtiss F-Boat to the Ancient Silver Albatross. Painted by renowned maritime artist and retired Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer William RaVell, III, it was commissioned by the FCGH specifically and exclusively for presentation to present and future Gold and Silver Ancient Albatross. It is signed and numbered by the artist.

This aircraft, and the aviators who proudly flew in her, exemplify the Lifesaver, protector, and Warrior persona that sets Coast Guardsmen apart from all others who are naval aviators. The Foundation for Coast Guard History believes this painting is a most fitting tribute to the Coast Guard’s senior most aviators.

ADCM J. T. Woltz	08 June 1990
MCPO-CG Eric A. Trent	01  Dec 1995
SCPO Gary Butler	30 June 1998
AVTCM Douglas W. Farence	02 Nov 1999
AMTCM Bernard D. Irsik	14 July 2000
AMTCM Mark T. Bigart	24 April  2002
AMTCM Wiliam Beardsley	11 April 2003
SCPO Peter MacDougall	13 May 2006
AETCM Michael F. Ferreira	8 August 2014

Chief Warrant Officer
Professional Development
Honor Graduate

The FCGH provides each Honor Graduate of the Coast Guard’s Chief Warrant Officer Professional Development Course. These individuals are provided a copy of the FCGH’s signature coffee table book The Coast Guard and a one year subscription to our magazine, The Cutter.

The recent graduates who have been named their classes’ Honor Graduates are listed here: