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The Secretary of Homeland Security takes great pleasure in presenting the DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OUTSTAND UNIT AWARD to
THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
"For outstanding service to the Department of Homeland Security and the United States of America from 25 August 2017 to 30 November 2020 during multiple devastating hurricanes, a Presidentially-declared National Emergency along the Southwest Border, and the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus global pandemic. Across four of the most active and devastating hurricane seasons on record, the United States Coast Guard consistently recognized the significant risks to life and property, prepositioning its personnel, vessels, and aircraft to rapidly respond, saving or assisting over 13,000 lives. The Coast Guard swiftly restored the flow of commerce to dozens of vital, storm-damaged ports by reestablishing thousands of aids to navigation and removing countless hazards caused by displaced vessels. Following the Declaration of National Emergency along the Southwest Border, the Coast Guard provided mission- enhancing aviation, surface, medical, and ground support to Customs and Border Protection to assist in processing unprecedented numbers of migrants arriving at the border. Addressing the drivers of this land migration, the Coast Guard countered cartel-driven instability in Central America through record levels of at-sea drug interdictions yielding 1.3 million pounds of seized cocaine and the apprehension of 1,856 smugglers, while also providing critical support to the President's Enhanced Counternarcotic Operations in 2020. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coast Guard partnered with multiple agencies to safely disembark more than 250,000 cruise ship passengers and 90,000 crew members from 125 vessels, preventing outbreaks and inundation of local hospitals. Further, the Coast Guard exhibited exceptional resilience conducting its full portfolio of multi-mission operations during both the pandemic and the 35-day partial government lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 appropriations, including response to myriad regional, national, and global crises, including: the capsizing of M/V GOLDEN RAY and the enforcement of United Nations sanctions against North Korea "ship to ship" transfers. Through their outstanding courage, resourcefulness, and professionalism, members of the United States Coast Guard reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the United States of America."