Generally the recipient is the ship with the highest score in the fleet's annual competitions for Battle Effectiveness Awards, and is therefore often thought of as the fleet's most battle-ready ship. This isn't strictly correct, because it has been the policy to rotate eligibility for the award annually among the various type commands (aircraft carriers, submarines, amphibious ships, etc.).
The award includes a small monetary stipend (about $500 in 2004). Commanding officers receiving the award must put the money into the ship's recreation fund, where it can be spent on athletic equipment, prizes for athletic or marksmanship competitions, recreation room furniture, dances, parties, and similar recreational activities.
The Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund was established in 1917 by the Tribune Association. It was initiated by a contribution which accompanied the following letter, printed on February 4, 1916:
"I read in your paper every morning a lot about preparedness. My grandpa and my great grandpa were soldiers. If I was a boy I would be a soldier, too, but I am not, so I want to do what I can to help. Mama gives me a dime every week for helping her. I am sending you this week's dime to help build a battleship for Uncle Sam. I know a lot of other kids would give their errand money if you would start a fund. I am 13 years old, and go to Public School No. 9, Brooklyn.
Truly Yours,
MARJORIE STERRETT
I am a true blue American and I want to see Uncle Sam prepared to lick all creation like John Paul Jones did.
The letter was written during the buildup to America's entry into World War I, and it generated a huge response. Former president Theodore Roosevelt responded immediately with a handwritten letter and a dollar contribution; within a few days he met with Marjorie in Manhattan. The Tribune printed the name of every contributor, and newspapers across the country reprinted Marjorie's letter and received additional donations.
Ultimately 200,000 dimes were collected, each typically in the name of a child or a contributor's yet-to-be born grandchild. The money was offered to the Navy, but Secretary Josephus Daniels at first rejected it, citing legal prohibitions. A law was soon enacted allowing the Navy Department to accept the money, and by early 1918 the $20,000 (US$360,310 today) had been transferred to the government.
Prior to World War II, income from the fund was used to pay prizes annually to turret and gun crews making the highest scores in short-range battle practice, and to submarine crews making the highest scores in torpedo firing.[1]
Since the end of World War II, the Navy has emphasized readiness and fitness of the ship rather than competition between individual departments.
1948 was the first post-World War II year in which awards were made.[1] Awards were discontinued in 1951 due to the Korean War, and were not reinstated until 1958.
14 ships received the award in 1961[33] and 1962.[32]
The 1963 ship history for USS Enterprise(CVN-65) reported that they were awarded the (presumably 1962) Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award in August 1963.[39][40]
References
New York Tribune, February 4–13, 1916
New York Times, February 11, 1916
Wall Street Journal, January 13, 1917
"How did it start? - Marjorie Sterrett Award" (PDF). All Hands (May): 55. 1961.
Notes
^ ab"Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Awards to be Made to Ships in Intratype Competition" (PDF). All Hands (August): 51. 1954.
^"Mrs. Marjorie S. Raun is Dead". Evening Gazette. Indiana, Pennsylvania. March 3, 1927.
^ ab"CALENDAR YEAR 2014 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS". US Navy BUPERS Navadmin. 2015-06-16. Retrieved 2016-01-12.
^ ab"CALENDAR YEAR 2013 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS". US Navy BUPERS Navadmin. 2013-05-16. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^ ab"CALENDAR YEAR 2012 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS". US Navy BUPERS Navadmin. 2013-05-28. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^ ab"CALENDAR YEAR 2011 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS". US Navy BUPERS Navadmin. 2012-09-16. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^ ab"CALENDAR YEAR 2010 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS". US Navy BUPERS Navadmin. 2011-07-29. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^ ab"CALENDAR YEAR 2009 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS". US Navy BUPERS Navadmin. 2010-07-19. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^ ab"CALENDAR YEAR 2008 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS". US Navy BUPERS Navadmin. 2009-07-15. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^ ab. US Navy BUPERS Navadmin. 2008-05-28. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^ ab. US Navy BUPERS Navadmin. 2007-06-11. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^ ab. US Navy BUPERS Navadmin. 2006-06-16. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^ ab. US Navy BUPERS Navadmin. 2005-07-21. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^ ab. US Navy BUPERS Navadmin. 2004-05-19. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^ ab. US Navy BUPERS Navadmin. 2003-07-07. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^"LHA-3 Ship History" (PDF). US Navy. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^"SSBN-730 Ship History" (PDF). US Navy. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^"LSD-45 Ship History" (PDF). US Navy. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^"SSBN-728 Ship History" (PDF). US Navy. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^"CVN-65 Ship History" (PDF). US Navy. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^ ab"Kidd, Fox win Sterrett Award" (PDF). All Hands (March): 12. 1988.
^"CVN-65 Ship History" (PDF). US Navy. Retrieved 2014-08-17.
^"Enterprise Home from Combat Zone" (PDF). Naval Aviation News: 8. September 1966.
January 30, 2023
marjorie, sterrett, battleship, fund, award, presented, annually, navy, chief, naval, operations, ship, atlantic, fleet, pacific, fleet, marjorie, sterrett, prior, 1920, generally, recipient, ship, with, highest, score, fleet, annual, competitions, battle, eff. The Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award is presented annually by the U S Navy s Chief of Naval Operations to one ship in the U S Atlantic Fleet and one in the U S Pacific Fleet Marjorie Sterrett prior to 1920 Generally the recipient is the ship with the highest score in the fleet s annual competitions for Battle Effectiveness Awards and is therefore often thought of as the fleet s most battle ready ship This isn t strictly correct because it has been the policy to rotate eligibility for the award annually among the various type commands aircraft carriers submarines amphibious ships etc The award includes a small monetary stipend about 500 in 2004 Commanding officers receiving the award must put the money into the ship s recreation fund where it can be spent on athletic equipment prizes for athletic or marksmanship competitions recreation room furniture dances parties and similar recreational activities Contents 1 History 2 List of Post WWII Winners 3 References 4 NotesHistory EditThe Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund was established in 1917 by the Tribune Association It was initiated by a contribution which accompanied the following letter printed on February 4 1916 To the Editor of the New York Tribune Dear Sir I read in your paper every morning a lot about preparedness My grandpa and my great grandpa were soldiers If I was a boy I would be a soldier too but I am not so I want to do what I can to help Mama gives me a dime every week for helping her I am sending you this week s dime to help build a battleship for Uncle Sam I know a lot of other kids would give their errand money if you would start a fund I am 13 years old and go to Public School No 9 Brooklyn Truly Yours MARJORIE STERRETTI am a true blue American and I want to see Uncle Sam prepared to lick all creation like John Paul Jones did P S Please call the battleship America Public School 9 Brooklyn Marjorie s schoolThe letter was written during the buildup to America s entry into World War I and it generated a huge response Former president Theodore Roosevelt responded immediately with a handwritten letter and a dollar contribution within a few days he met with Marjorie in Manhattan The Tribune printed the name of every contributor and newspapers across the country reprinted Marjorie s letter and received additional donations Ultimately 200 000 dimes were collected each typically in the name of a child or a contributor s yet to be born grandchild The money was offered to the Navy but Secretary Josephus Daniels at first rejected it citing legal prohibitions A law was soon enacted allowing the Navy Department to accept the money and by early 1918 the 20 000 US 360 310 today had been transferred to the government Prior to World War II income from the fund was used to pay prizes annually to turret and gun crews making the highest scores in short range battle practice and to submarine crews making the highest scores in torpedo firing 1 Since the end of World War II the Navy has emphasized readiness and fitness of the ship rather than competition between individual departments Marjorie Sterrett Raun died in March 1927 in Wattsburg Pennsylvania 2 List of Post WWII Winners EditThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed August 2014 Learn how and when to remove this template message 1917 era battleship USS Nevada Year Atlantic Fleet Winner Pacific Fleet Winner2019 USS John C Stennis CVN 74 USS Abraham Lincoln CVN 72 2018 USS Iwo Jima LHD 7 USS Ashland LSD 48 2017 USS Oscar Austin DDG 79 USS Sterett DDG 104 2016 USS Alaska SSBN 732 USS Cheyenne SSN 773 2015 USS Monsoon PC 4 USS Champion MCM 4 2014 USS George H W Bush CVN 77 3 USS George Washington CVN 73 3 2013 USS New York LPD 21 4 USS Boxer LHD 4 4 2012 USS Laboon DDG 58 5 USS Stethem DDG 63 5 2011 USS Newport News SSN 750 6 USS Hampton SSN 767 6 2010 Patrol Coastal Crew Lima aboard USS Chinook PC 9 7 USS Patriot MCM 7 7 2009 USS Harry S Truman CVN 75 8 USS Ronald Reagan CVN 76 8 2008 USS Kearsarge LHD 3 9 USS Blue Ridge LCC 19 9 2007 USS Carney DDG 64 10 USS Fitzgerald DDG 62 10 2006 USS Seawolf SSN 21 11 USS Tucson SSN 770 11 2005 USS Chief MCM 14 12 USS Safeguard ARS 50 12 2004 USS Harry S Truman CVN 75 13 USS Carl Vinson CVN 70 13 2003 USS Scout MCM 8 14 USS Boxer LHD 4 14 2002 USS Leyte Gulf CG 55 15 USS Milius DDG 69 15 2001 USS Pennsylvania SSBN 735 G USS Santa Fe SSN 763 2000 USS Grapple ARS 53 USS Salvor ARS 52 1999 USS Dwight D Eisenhower CVN 69 USS Constellation CV 64 1998 USS Wasp LHD 1 USS Belleau Wood LHA 3 16 1997 USS Normandy CG 60 USS Cowpens CG 63 1996 USS Boston SSN 703 USS Henry M Jackson SSBN 730 17 1995 USS Edenton ATS 1 USS Salvor ARS 52 1994 USS George Washington CVN 73 USS Kitty Hawk CV 63 1993 USS Guam LPH 9 USS Comstock LSD 45 18 1992 USS Yorktown CG 48 USS Princeton CG 59 1991 USS Oklahoma City SSN 723 USS Florida SSBN 728 19 1990 USS Yosemite AD 19 USS Samuel Gompers AD 37 1989 USS Forrestal CV 59 USS Enterprise CVN 65 20 1988 USS Inflict MSO 456 USS Duluth LPD 6 1987 USS Kidd DDG 993 21 USS Fox CG 33 21 22 1986 USS Finback SSN 670 USS Plunger SSN 595 1985 USS Platte AO 186 USS Roanoke AOR 7 1984 USS Independence CV 62 USS Kitty Hawk CV 63 23 1983 USS Spiegel Grove LSD 32 USS Duluth LPD 6 1982 USS King DDG 41 USS Bainbridge CGN 25 1981 USS Hammerhead SSN 663 USS Los Angeles SSN 688 24 1980 USS San Diego AFS 6 USS White Plains AFS 4 1979 USS John F Kennedy CVA 67 25 USS Midway CV 41 1978 USS Manitowoc LST 1180 USS Los Angeles SSN 688 1977 USS Wainwright CG 28 USS Roark FF 1053 1976 USS Flying Fish SSN 673 USS Patrick Henry SSBN 599 1975 USS Kalamazoo AOR 6 USS Molala ATF 106 1974 USS John F Kennedy CVA 67 USS Oriskany CVA 34 1973 USS Inchon LPH 12 USS Durham LKA 114 1972 USS Dupont DD 941 USS Waddell DDG 24 1971 USS Dash MSO 428 USS Energy MSO 436 1970 USS Lapon SSN 661 26 USS Catfish SS 339 26 1969 USS Sylvania AFS 2 27 USS Cree ATF 84 28 1968 USS Intrepid CVS 11 29 USS Coral Sea CVA 43 citation needed 1967 USS Shadwell LSD 15 30 USS St Francis River LSMR 525 30 1966 USS Harry E Yarnell CG 17 USS John R Craig DD 885 1965 USS Meadowlark MSC 196 31 USS Persistent MSO 491 31 1964 USS Shark SSN 591 USS Scamp SSN 588 1963 USS Thornback SS 418 USS Current ARS 22 1962 USS Lake Champlain CVS 39 USS Newport News CA 148 USS Joseph K Taussig DE 1030 USS Entemedor SS 340 USS Amphion AR 13 USS Grant County LST 1174 USS Exploit MSO 440 32 USS Bon Homme Richard CVA 31 USS Providence CG 6 USS Rupertus DD 851 USS Prime MSO 466 USS Paul Revere APA 248 USS Arikara ATF 98 USS Sargo SSN 583 32 1961 USS Vulcan AR 5 USS Proteus AS 19 USS Little Rock CLG 4 USS Wallace L Lind DD 703 USS Grant County LST 1174 USS Ability MSO 519 USS Forrestal CV 59 33 USS Somers DD 947 USS Lipan AT 85 USS Diodon SS 349 USS Providence CLG 6 USS Mathews AKA 96 USS Whippoorwill AMS 207 USS Ticonderoga CV 14 33 FY 1960 USS Blandy DD 943 USS Rigel AF 58 34 USS Somers DD 947 USS Mount Baker AE 4 34 1959 USS Randolph CVS 15 USS Hornet CVS 12 1958 USS Rankin AKA 103 35 USS Mahoning County LST 914 35 1950 USS Sea Robin SS 407 36 USS Charr SS 328 36 1949 USS Fiske DD 842 37 USS Newman K Perry DD 883 37 1948 USS Providence CL 82 38 USS Helena CA 75 38 1948 was the first post World War II year in which awards were made 1 Awards were discontinued in 1951 due to the Korean War and were not reinstated until 1958 14 ships received the award in 1961 33 and 1962 32 The 1963 ship history for USS Enterprise CVN 65 reported that they were awarded the presumably 1962 Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award in August 1963 39 40 References EditOPNAVINST 3590 11F New York Tribune February 4 13 1916 New York Times February 11 1916 Wall Street Journal January 13 1917 How did it start Marjorie Sterrett Award PDF All Hands May 55 1961 Notes Edit a b Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Awards to be Made to Ships in Intratype Competition PDF All Hands August 51 1954 Mrs Marjorie S Raun is Dead Evening Gazette Indiana Pennsylvania March 3 1927 a b CALENDAR YEAR 2014 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS US Navy BUPERS Navadmin 2015 06 16 Retrieved 2016 01 12 a b CALENDAR YEAR 2013 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS US Navy BUPERS Navadmin 2013 05 16 Retrieved 2014 08 17 a b CALENDAR YEAR 2012 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS US Navy BUPERS Navadmin 2013 05 28 Retrieved 2014 08 17 a b CALENDAR YEAR 2011 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS US Navy BUPERS Navadmin 2012 09 16 Retrieved 2014 08 17 a b CALENDAR YEAR 2010 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS US Navy BUPERS Navadmin 2011 07 29 Retrieved 2014 08 17 a b CALENDAR YEAR 2009 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS US Navy BUPERS Navadmin 2010 07 19 Retrieved 2014 08 17 a b CALENDAR YEAR 2008 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS US Navy BUPERS Navadmin 2009 07 15 Retrieved 2014 08 17 a b CALENDAR YEAR 2007 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS US Navy BUPERS Navadmin 2008 05 28 Archived from the original on 2015 09 24 Retrieved 2014 08 17 a b CALENDAR YEAR 2006 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS US Navy BUPERS Navadmin 2007 06 11 Archived from the original on 2015 09 24 Retrieved 2014 08 17 a b CALENDAR YEAR 2005 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS US Navy BUPERS Navadmin 2006 06 16 Archived from the original on 2014 08 19 Retrieved 2014 08 17 a b CALENDAR YEAR 2004 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS US Navy BUPERS Navadmin 2005 07 21 Archived from the original on 2015 09 24 Retrieved 2014 08 17 a b CALENDAR YEAR 2003 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS US Navy BUPERS Navadmin 2004 05 19 Archived from the original on 2014 08 19 Retrieved 2014 08 17 a b CALENDAR YEAR 2002 MARJORIE STERRETT BATTLESHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS US Navy BUPERS Navadmin 2003 07 07 Archived from the original on 2014 08 19 Retrieved 2014 08 17 LHA 3 Ship History PDF US Navy Retrieved 2014 08 17 SSBN 730 Ship History PDF US Navy Retrieved 2014 08 17 LSD 45 Ship History PDF US Navy Retrieved 2014 08 17 SSBN 728 Ship History PDF US Navy Retrieved 2014 08 17 CVN 65 Ship History PDF US Navy Retrieved 2014 08 17 a b Kidd Fox win Sterrett Award PDF All Hands March 12 1988 Fox V DANFS Retrieved 2014 08 17 CV 63 Ship History PDF US Navy Retrieved 2014 08 17 SSN 688 Ship History PDF US Navy Archived from the original PDF on 2012 11 04 Retrieved 2014 08 17 A Ship That Cares PDF All Hands March 9 1980 a b The Latest Trophy Winners in the Fleet PDF All Hands November 38 1970 Cree Welcome Welcome Welcome PDF All Hands April 37 1970 Cree Takes Sterrett Award PDF All Hands April 34 1970 Intrepid Takes Award PDF All Hands December 40 1968 a b Marjorie Sterrett Awards PDF All Hands November 40 1967 a b Top Sea Dogs PDF All Hands February 43 1966 a b c Marjorie Sterrett Awards PDF All Hands December 39 1962 a b c Marjorie Sterrett Awards PDF All Hands February 40 1962 a b Marjorie Sterrett Awards PDF All Hands March 36 1961 a b Is there a formula for a smart ship PDF All Hands January 56 59 1959 a b Top Efficiency Awards PDF All Hands September 47 1950 a b Annual Sterrett Award goes to 2 tin cans PDF All Hands October 35 1949 a b Get Battle Efficiency Pennants PDF All Hands October 48 1948 CVN 65 Ship History PDF US Navy Retrieved 2014 08 17 Enterprise Home from Combat Zone PDF Naval Aviation News 8 September 1966 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award amp oldid 1130603371, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
