FIREMAN apprentice Warren Allen, from Kingston, Jamaica, was awarded while serving aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7).

USS Iwo Jima’s leadership recognises sailors monthly for demonstrating superior dedication to the ship’s core values of learning, improvement, wellness, ownership and safety.

Allen was recognised on April 6 for exemplifying the core value of ownership, with the Core Value Champion award.

“This award means a lot to me,” said Allen. “It demonstrates that my work and achievements are being recognised.”

Allen graduated from Wolmer’s Boys’ in 2014 and has served in the navy for one year. Today, Allen serves as a machinist’s mate responsible for operating and maintaining steam turbines and reduction gears used for ship propulsion and auxiliary machinery, such as turbo generators, pumps and oil purifiers.

Amphibious assault ships, such as USS Iwo Jima, project power and maintain presence by serving as the cornerstone of the Amphibious Readiness Group/Expeditionary Strike Group.

The Amphibious Readiness Groups provide the marine corps with a means of ship-to-shore movement by helicopter, in addition to movement by landing craft.

USS Iwo Jima has supported major humanitarian assistance and combat operations in which the United States has been involved.

USS Iwo Jima is named for the battle of Iwo Jima, fought in 1945, in which three divisions of US Marines took control of a tiny island from more than 20,000 enemy defenders.

The ship’s motto is a quote from Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz: “Among the Americans who served on Iwo Jima, uncommon valour was a common virtue.”