RADM Frederick B. Warder Award

Established in 1986, The Rear Admiral Frederick B. Warder Award for Outstanding Achievement recognizes a specific action, contribution or continuing performance, which most positively influenced the reputation, readiness or future well-being of the submarine force. One award is presented annually to a government employee (Civilian, Active or Reserve military, LCDR or junior).

Read about RADM Frederick B. Warder

2023 Award Winner:

CSS2(SS) Dakota J. Aubry, USN

for outstanding meritorious service as the Manager of the Culinary Specialist Division in USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23).

Petty Officer Aubry planned, coordinated, and executed the largest food load out in the history of the submarine force. The effort was an inventory load out evolution of more than $900,000 in two weeks to adequately sustain Jimmy Carter and Undersea Research and Development personnel for a highly successful research and operations period. He was directly responsible for the ship being awarded the Admiral Ney Award in 2021, the Award of Commander Submarine Squadron Supply Blue “E”, numerous top rating awards from the Chief of Naval Operations and Secretary of the Navy, and recognition by the Puget Sound Navy Food Management team as the top galley in the Pacific Northwest. Beyond succeeding in the management of the food service division he quickly completed Leading Culinary Specialist and Chief of the Watch qualifications. As the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Committee President, he revitalized a non-existent program into the best on the waterfront. His involvement in the MWR program had a direct impact on the crew’s ability to keep their focus on the task at hand in one of the most stressful environments in the submarine force.

Petty Office Aubry is most deserving of recognition by the Naval Submarine League to receive the Rear Admiral Frederick B. Warder Award for Outstanding Achievement.

Rear Admiral Frederick B. Warder

The Naval Submarine League Outstanding Achievement Award is named for Rear Admiral Frederick Burdette Warder, USN (Retired.) Admiral Warder was a true hero of the Submarine Service during World War II and a dynamic leader throughout his active career. As a result of his aggressive and innovative leadership during a war patrol, he was dubbed “FEARLESS FREDDIE,” by his crew in Seawolf.

A member of the 36th class at the Submarine School, he served in S-16 during his initial submarine training and went on to command S-38 and then Seawolf(SS 197). He completed seven war patrols in command of Seawolf, and is credited with sinking eight Japanese ships totaling 38,900 tons. For his performance in Seawolf, he was cited for “displaying great courage and leadership in the face of aggressive enemy advances…” Later, he was assigned by Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet as the Commander of the second Wolfpack, with Snook, Harder, and Pargo in the pack. Their combined action sank seven ships.

His wartime duties concluded with his assignment as Commander Submarine Division 122. From 1944 to 1946, then Captain Warder was Commanding Officer of the Submarine School. Here again, the young submarine officers gained from his leadership, and many of them became the first commanding officers of our early nuclear powered and ballistic missile submarines. RADM Warder’s submarine career culminated in his assignment as Commander Submarine Force U. S. Atlantic Fleet, where his leadership was again felt, as submarines moved into the era of nuclear power and the sea based leg of the nation’s triad of strategic defense.

Recipients of the Naval Submarine League Rear Admiral Frederick B. Warder award for Outstanding Achievement can be justly proud to have this link with a courageous, aggressive and innovative fighter who was esteemed by his crew, and who contributed greatly to the advance of submarine warfare.

Previous Recipients

2022 Award Winner: LT Curtis R. Olsen, III, USN