ADMIRAL CHARLES LEMOYNE AWARD

A native of Brownsville, Texas, Irve Charles LeMoyne graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1961. He was commissioned as an ensign in the Navy and after graduation as the Honor Man on his class, he underwent underwater demolition team training in Little Creek, VA.

In October 1966, he was assigned to SEAL Team 1 in Colorado, with which he was twice deployed in Vietnam as executive officer. Admiral LeMoyne commanded Underwater Demolition Team 11 from June 1969 to April 1971 in the Western Pacific and in Vietnam.

In 1972, he was assigned to Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, where he received a master's degree in management. He furthered his education in 1977 at the National War College and was assigned in 1978 as commanding officer of the Inshore Undersea Warfare Group 1.

After the failure of the rescue of American hostages in Iran in 1978, Admiral LeMoyne was among those who pushed for an overhaul and integration of the nation's military special operations units, uniting the special forces of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. He urged the senior Navy command to work with the other services to improve communications, coordination, and equipment among the special units of the military.

After founding the Naval Special Warfare Command in Coronado, California in 1967 and serving as the first commander in charge of all Navy SEALs and Special Boat Units, Admiral LeMoyne rose in 1993 to be deputy commander of the United States Special Operations Command based in Tampa, Florida.

Among his many decorations were the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, three Legions of Merit, and two Bronze Star Medals with combat V's.

On January 4, 1997 Admiral Charles LeMoyne died of cancer. Among the many from around the world who eulogized him, the words of Admiral Thomas Richards, Commanding Officer of Naval Special Operations, best summed up the feelings that day when he said, "Chuck exemplified the very best of the Navy SEAL community and the Navy's core values of honor, courage, and commitment. The remarkable courage and dignity with which he faced his greatest adversary was truly inspiring. We will miss his leadership, his integrity, and warm gentlemanly demeanors."

Admiral Charles LeMoyne Leadership Awards Program

In 1994, then Union League president David C. Auten, presented Admiral Charles LeMoyne, Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. Special Operations Command, with the Union League Bowl in recognition of his many years of exemplary service to America.

During his remarks that evening, Admiral LeMoyne took special note of the Union League's motto, "Love of Country Leads" and how that founding principle mirrored the philosophy of his own community, the Navy SEALs. "Leadership," he said, "whether in business, the professions or the military, depends on the integrity of the individual and the belief they have in their mission."

When Admiral LeMoyne succumbed to cancer in 1997, the leadership award that bears his name was established to honor an outstanding high school senior from the Greater Philadelphia area. The award recognizes an individual who demonstrates by virtue of their attitude and achievement, the high standard of courage, integrity, perseverance, and leadership exemplified by Admiral LeMoyne.

The award, usually presented in the spring, consists of an engraved mantle clock and a cash grant.

If you would like to volunteer or assist this effort, please contact the Admiral Charles LeMoyne Leadership Awards program at: info@lemoyneawards.org.