Frazier receives Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Rear Adm. Frank Caldwell (left), Commander, Submarine Group 9, recently presented Information System Technician Petty Officer 1st Class (SW/AW) Derrick Frazier (right) with the Defense Meritorious Service Medal during an awards ceremony November 5 at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor. The award was given after Frazier served with distinction while deployed to Afghanistan on an individual augmentee (IA) assignment from September 2008 to August 2009.

“This is a very special award usually reserved for much more senior personnel, but Petty Officer Frazier clearly earned it,” said Caldwell. “It’s a great honor to earn such a prestigious award,” said Frazier. “Having good people around me made me successful, and I owe this award to them.”

Frazier added, “Going IA was a great experience,” Frazier added. “I will always remember seeing the children’s faces light up when we brought them winter clothes right before winter set in.”