Lone Sailor Awards dinner honors sailors returning from deployment in 2026

Active-duty sailors newly home from deployment joined senior Navy leaders, veterans, Medal of Honor recipients and supporters of the sea services at the United States Navy Memorial’s 2026 Lone Sailor Awards Dinner on Sept. 23 at the National Building Museum in Washington.

Sailors from USS Cole, USS Stockdale, USS Forest Sherman, USS Sterett and USS Stethem were among nearly 500 attendees at the annual gathering, which honors individuals whose service and achievements reflect the Navy and Marine Corps values of honor, courage and commitment. For the Navy Memorial, bringing in crews who had just returned from sea duty was a deliberate effort to connect the evening’s tributes with today’s operational force. “These Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen represent what this evening is really about — service,” Vice Adm. John B. Nowell Jr., USN (Ret.), the memorial’s president and CEO, said. “They have just returned from deployment, where they stood the watch around the world, and it was important to us that they be here and see firsthand how deeply their service is valued. Tonight, we honor remarkable individuals, but we also honor those standing the watch today.”

This year’s Lone Sailor Award went to Medal of Honor recipient Cpl. William Kyle Carpenter, USMC (Ret.), and philanthropist J. Ronald Terwilliger. Philanthropist Kenneth Fisher received the Naval Heritage Award. The Lone Sailor Award recognizes sea service veterans who distinguish themselves during or after their military careers while continuing to exemplify honor, courage and commitment. The Naval Heritage Award honors Americans who have demonstrated significant support for the nation’s sea services and whose lives and careers reflect the same values.

Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, who has served in the role since April 22, 2026, underscored the different paths the honorees have taken and the shared ethos behind them. “Their collective example reminds us that service takes many forms,” Cao said. “It is found in courage under fire, in a lifetime of support to veterans and military families, in leadership that strengthens the communities surrounding those who serve, and in the decisive action when lives are at risk.”

Carpenter, a retired Marine corporal, received the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan. Terwilliger has devoted extensive philanthropic support to causes serving veterans and military families, and Fisher has carried forward a family legacy backing service members, veterans and their loved ones. Their selection adds them to a roster of past Lone Sailor recipients that includes astronaut and U.S. Sen. John Glenn, Rear Adm. Grace Hopper, Sen. John McCain, former Defense Secretary and retired Marine Gen. James Mattis, singer-songwriter Bill Withers, NBA Hall of Famer David Robinson, and baseball greats Stan Musial and Yogi Berra.

Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technician 2nd Class Scott C. Ruskan received the Distinguished Service Commendation for heroism during the July 2025 Central Texas floods, where he helped coordinate the evacuation of 169 survivors, including children and staff from Camp Mystic.

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. James W. Kilby, who attended the dinner and introduced Terwilliger, linked the evening’s awards to the values taught in uniform and carried into civilian life. “Tonight’s honorees embody the Navy’s values of honor, courage, and commitment,” Kilby said. “Unique to this evening’s event, the Navy Memorial invited Sailors, stationed outside the National Capitol Region, who recently returned from deployment. They were able to hear about the importance of service both in and out of uniform. Their resilience and dedication reflect proudly on our Navy.”

The United States Navy Memorial, located on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, was created to honor and celebrate the men and women of the sea services — past, present and future — and to educate the public about their contributions. Its modern roots date to 1977, when former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Arleigh Burke and other Navy leaders established the nonprofit that led to the memorial. At its center stands the Lone Sailor statue, the institution’s emblematic figure and a touchstone for stories and heritage from across the fleet.

The awards dinner is one of the Navy Memorial’s signature annual events, convening service members, veterans, military leaders and civilian supporters to recognize lives defined by service. “Each year, the Navy Memorial brings the Sea Service family together for this dinner to recognize people whose lives demonstrate honor, courage and commitment,” Nowell said. “But just as importantly, it gives us an opportunity to connect generations — from those whose careers and service we celebrate tonight to the young Sailors who are out there carrying the mission forward today.”

For the sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who attended shortly after returning from deployments, organizers said their participation underscored the evening’s theme: celebrating distinguished service while saluting those still standing the watch.