City Of Oklahoma City: Debi Martin Receives Highest Civilian Honor From U.S. Navy League

Oklahoma City OK

30 May, 2022

3:35 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Oklahoma City: May 26, 2022 Link to Debi Martin's headshot The U.S Navy honored City Council Chief of Staff Debi Martin May 20 with the Meritorious Service Award, the highest honor a civilian can receive from the National Office of the U.S. Navy League. The award was presented to Martin during the inactivation ceremony for the USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. Martin served as the submarine's primary Oklahoma City liaison for 28 years. She meticulously planned tours to Oklahoma City for the sub's sailors and officers and coordinated visits to the sub for City Councilmembers for almost three decades. In times of crisis, Martin brought together survivors and sailors from the submarine to help our community heal and create a lasting bond with the boat's crew. She nurtured friendships with 15 of the ship's 18 commanders during her time with the boat. "It's rare for the President/CEO along with the Dean for the Center for Maritime Strategy for the national Navy League of the United States to travel from Washington D.C. to attend a ship's decommissioning ceremony and more over present the organization's Meritorious Service Award to a civilian," said retired rear admiral and former Under Secretary of the Navy Greg Slavonic. "Debi Martin spent countless hours of work supporting the crew of Oklahoma City's namesake submarine was recognized recently by NLUS. All Oklahomans should be extremely proud of Debi's dedication over the years representing our City with the U.S. Navy." Also honored at the inactivation ceremony was resident Heather Foster who, at age 14, designed the USS Oklahoma City's (SSN-723) badge. This press release was produced by the City of Oklahoma City. The views expressed here are the author's own.