De Wert (FFG 45) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICER COMMANDER JAMES R. BOORUJY Commander Boorujy grew up in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1983 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.After nuclear power training and Surface Warfare training, Commander Boorujy served aboard the USS TRUXTUN (CGN 35) as Electrical Division Officer and as the Chemistry and Radiological Controls Assistant. After TRUXTUN, he returned to the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Idaho for a two- year staff tour. His next assignment was as Operations Officer aboard the USS CARR (FFG52.)While aboard CARR, he participated in Maritime Interception Operations in the Red Sea.He next served in the USS ARKANSAS (CGN41) as Engineer Officer. This tour included a deployment to the Arabian Gulf in which ARKANSAS served as the Battle Group ' s Anti-Air Warfare Commander. After ARKANSAS, he became a member of the Pacific Fleet ' s Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board where he participated in 63 exams. Commander Boorujy then took command of the USS PIONEER (MCM 9) and MCM Rotational Crew CharUe. With Crew CHARLIE, he also commanded USS ARDENT (MCM 12) during a deployment to the Arabian Gulf Commander Boorujy ' s crew earned the Battle E for 1998. Following this command tour Commander Boorujy attended the Naval War College. Commander Boorujy took command of DE WERT on 25 April 2001 .From April until deploying in July 2002, DE WERT conducting training and maintenance in preparation for the Standing Naval Force, Atlantic deployment.In 2001 , DE WERT won a second consecutive Battle E, the Ney Award for food service excellence, and its first Wellness Award. Commander Boorujy ' s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), and the Navy Achievement Medal.

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The President of the United States,in the name of The Congress takes pride in presentingthe MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to: HOSPITAL CORPSMAN RICHARD DAVID DE WERT, UNITED STATES NAVY for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Hospital Corpsman in action against enemy aggressor forces. When a fire team from the point platoon of his company was pinned down by a deadlybarrage of hostile automatic weapons fire and suffered many casualties. Hospital Corpsman De Wert rushed to the assistance of one of the more seriously wounded and, despite a painful leg wound sustained while dragging the stricken marine to safety, steadfastly refused medical treatment for himself and inmiediately dashed back through the fireswept area to carry a second wounded man out of the line of fire. Undaunted by the mounting hail of devastating enemy fire, he bravely moved forward a third time and received another serious wound in the shoulder after discovering that a wounded marine had already died. Still persistent in his refusal to submit to first aid,he resolutely answered the call of a fourth stricken comrade and, while rendering medical assistance, was himself mortally wounded by a burst of enemy fire. His courageous initiative, great personal valor, and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds reflect the highest credit upon Hospital Corpsman De Wert and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his Ufe for his country. Signed, HARRY S. TRUMAN

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EXECUTIVE OPnCER LIEUTENANT COMMANDER RYANC.TILLOTSON Lieutenant Commander Tillotson is a native of Pocatello, Idaho. He was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program after graduating from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography in March 1989. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in May 1999. Following completion of Surface Warfare Officers Division Officer Training at Surface Warfare Officer School in San Diego, CA, he reported to USS DUBUQUE (LPD 8) home ported in Sasebo, Japan. There he served first as Ordnance Officer and Legal Officer, and then as Navigator and Administrative Officer. Lieutenant Commander Tillotson then attended the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA where he earned a Master of Science degree in Operations Analysis graduating in December 1995. Upon completion of the Surface Warfare Officers Department Head course, he ref orted to USS JOHN A. MOORE (FFG 19) as Combat Systems Officer. Following this twenty-two month tour, he then reported to USS PELELIU (LHA 5) as Combat Systems Officer firom July 1998 to March 2000. His post department head tour of shore duty took him to the Surface Warfare Directorate of the Chief of Naval Operations Staff (OPNAV N76) where he worked on Land Attack Programs in the Naval Surface Fire Support branch. Lieutenant Commander Tillotson is currently assigned as Executive Officer in USS DE WERT (FFG 45) home ported in Mayport, FL. His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, three awards, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He enjoys hiking, fishing, and almost anything that travels on two wheels, motorized or not.