H. L. Hunley JROTC Award
Encyclopedia
The H. L. Hunley JROTC Award is awarded to cadets of the United States Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps who have demonstrated strong corps values, honor, courage and commitment to their unit during the school year. The award, which consists of a medal, a ribbon, and a certificate, is typically awarded annually to one rising second year cadet per unit, but may be awarded to cadets of other classes based upon the discretion of the unit's Senior Instructor. The award, which is sponsored by the Sons of Confederate Veterans
Sons of Confederate Veterans
Sons of Confederate Veterans is an American national heritage organization with members in all fifty states and in almost a dozen countries in Europe, Australia and South America...

 organization (SCV) is available to cadets in all service branches of the U.S. JROTC program. The cost of the medal is covered by the SCV. This award should not be confused with the similarly named Horace L. Hunley Award which is also awarded by the SCV, but has no connection with the JROTC program.

History

The H. L. Hunley JROTC Award originated in South Carolina in 2007. It was initially awarded only in the state of South Carolina, and due to its naval theme, only to U.S. Navy and Marine Corps JROTC cadets. In 2008, the award was extended to include U.S. Army and Air Force JROTC cadets, but it was still exclusive to South Carolina. The award was again extended in 2009 to include all cadets throughout the United States JROTC program. While the award is usually sponsored by a local chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, schools located in an area with no local SCV chapters may apply for the award through the organization's national headquarters.

Namesake

The award of the Hunley medal is meant to honor or reward cadets who have shown the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment, as did the ill-fated crew of the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley. The H. L. Hunley made naval history off the coast of Charleston, SC on February 17, 1864 when it became the first submarine to sink an opposing vessel in combat. The crew of the submarine was lost in action, and it is the spirit of this selfless sacrifice that the award draws its theme. While the award does have a strong naval theme, it is suitable for award to cadets of other branches due to the fact that the commander of the Hunley, Lt. George E. Dixon
George E. Dixon
George E. Dixon was a first lieutenant in the Confederate Army in the American Civil War. He is best known as the commander of the Confederate submarine H.L...

, was a serving Army officer. The actions of this crew were later honored by some U.S. Navy ships, including the USS Hunley (AS-31)
USS Hunley (AS-31)
USS Hunley was a submarine tender of the United States Navy launched on 28 September 1961 and commissioned 16 June 1962. The Hunley was designed to tend most of the long-term requirements of the Polaris Class of submarines. The ship achieved several records and milestones in its long service...

 and USS Dixon (AS-37)
USS Dixon (AS-37)
USS Dixon was a submarine tender, in service to the United States Navy from 1971 through 1995. Dixon was named for George E. Dixon, commander of the Confederate submarine H. L. Hunley....

, being named in honor of the submarine.

See also

  • Horace Lawson Hunley
    Horace Lawson Hunley
    Horace Lawson Hunley , was a Confederate marine engineer during the American Civil War. He developed early hand-powered submarines, the most famous of which was posthumously named for him, H. L...

  • USS Hunley (AS-31)
    USS Hunley (AS-31)
    USS Hunley was a submarine tender of the United States Navy launched on 28 September 1961 and commissioned 16 June 1962. The Hunley was designed to tend most of the long-term requirements of the Polaris Class of submarines. The ship achieved several records and milestones in its long service...

  • USS Dixon (AS-37)
    USS Dixon (AS-37)
    USS Dixon was a submarine tender, in service to the United States Navy from 1971 through 1995. Dixon was named for George E. Dixon, commander of the Confederate submarine H. L. Hunley....

  • SCV Publication on the Hunley Award
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