Spokane Trophy
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The Spokane Trophy is awarded by Commander United States Pacific Fleet on a cycle basis to the surface combatant ship considered to be the most proficient in overall combat systems readiness and warfare operations. The nomination will be submitted by the type commander based on the recommendations of the ISIC (Immediate Superior In Charge). Because the award is to recognize demonstrated ability to fully conduct, on a sustained basis, simultaneous and coordinated air warfare, surface warfare, and undersea warfare operations with all installed equipments, no check-off list of particular criteria is appropriate nor can a ship explicitly work for nomination for the award other than by routinely striving for the highest levels of combat systems training and material excellence.[1] The actual Spokane Trophy is made of 400 ounces of silver and is valued at $4 million.[2][3]
The award was established in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt to recognize naval warfighting proficiency. The trophy was originally donated by the Spokane, Wash., Navy League and is now kept on display at Naval Surface Forces headquarters in San Diego.[4] The trophy depicts areas of Spokane, Washington, and the silver mining community. The trophy also bears the names of the last 96 ships that have won it, including USS Arizona (BB-39) and USS West Virginia (BB-48). It is normally kept under armed guard and is viewed only once per year for the presentation ceremony.[3]
Unlike the Battenberg Cup for the Atlantic Fleet, this award honors surface ships only, while the Battenberg honors both surface and submarine combatants.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Surface Force Training Manual. United States Navy Training Manual. Federation of American Scientists (republishing USN training manual). Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ The Spokane Trophy. U.S. Navy NewsStand. United States Navy (May 3, 2004). Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ a b Journalist 2nd Class David Van Scoy, Navy Compass (May 12, 3004). Princeton Earns Coveted Spokane Trophy. U.S. Navy NewsStand. U.S. Navy. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Paula M. Ludwick, Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs (May 10, 2007). USS Bunker Hill Receives Spokane Trophy. GlobalSecurity.org (republishing U.S. Navy press release NNS070510-15). Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
The Spokane Naval Trophy was gifted to the Navy by the City of Spokane.
The Spokane Navy League gives a plaque to the ship which has a picture of the Trophy, the name of the ship and the date the Trophy was awarded.
