Capt. Robert Lansden is flanked by former California Gov. Pete Wilson (left) and Gen. Colin Powell, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former Secretary of State, after Gen. Powell presented Capt. Lansden with the Silver Service Medallion for his “exemplary leadership” as master of the USNS Pollux during the Hurricane Katrina relief effort in New Orleans in 2005. Capt. Lansden was chosen to represent all U.S. merchant mariners who responded to the crisis. The Army, The Navy and the “first responder” police and firefighters were also represented by one individual from each service at the award ceremony at the World War II Museum in New Orleans.
SOURCE: Gulf Coast Marine rs Association GCMA News – Aug/Sept 2006 issue