2025 MCAA AVIATION AWARD RECIPIENTS
The Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) is honored to announce the 2025 MCAA Aviation Award Recipients. These Marines will receive their Awards at the 2025 Symposium in Dallas, TX, on May 15th, 2025.
Alfred A. Cunningham Award (Aviator of the Year):
Maj Zachary M. Sessa, VMFA-314
Robert Guy Robinson Award (NFO of the Year):
Maj John P. Baum, VMGA-232
James W. Frey Award (Marine Unmanned Aerial Systems Officer of the Year):
Maj Fabio Garciaquiroga, VMU-1
Earle Hattaway Award (Aviation Ground Officer of the Year):
CWO-2 Jacob S. Kelderhouse, VMM-365
Robert F. Gibson Award (Air Command and Control Officer of the Year):
Capt Geoffrey M. Justice, MACS-2
Silver Hawk Award (Earliest Naval Aviation Designation Date):
LtGen Gregory L. Masiello, Director, DCMA
Frank E. Petersen Jr. Award (Flight Student of the Year):
1stLt Christopher G. Daker, MATSG-21
Danny L. Radish Award (Enlisted Aircrewman of the Year):
SSgt Andre M. Doss, VMM-261
Pioneer Award (Marine Enlisted UAS Sensor Operator of the Year):
SSgt Christian Hurtado, VMU-1
Willie D. Sproule Award (Maintenance Marine of the Year):
SSgt Douglas R. Gantt, VMFA-122
Kenneth W. Southcomb Award (Aviation Supply Marine of the Year):
Sgt Amy J. Bonorden, MALS-13
Paul G. Vess Award (Avionics Marine of the Year):
SSgt Coy T. Pendergraft, HMLA-269
Gaines B. Gilbert Award (Aviation Ordnance Marine of the Year):
Sgt Sarah D. Ashford, MALS-14
Kenneth A. Innis Award (Command and Control Marine of the Year):
MSgt Allen L. Hancock, MACS-2
Jack W. Demmond Award (Aviation Ground Marine of the Year):
Sgt Aidan J. Whelan, MWSS-174
James E. Nicholson Award (NCO Leadership):
Sgt Kyle B. Turner, VMM-363
Michael A. Hough Award (Acquisition Excellence):
LtCol Joseph J. Davin, PMA-274
James Maguire Award (Exceptional Achievement):
Sgt Roberto E. CastilloDavidson, MWCS-18
Commandants Aviation Trophy (Outstanding Performance of a Marine Aviation Squadron or Battalion):
MWSS-172
Robert M. Hanson Award (Fighter/Attack Squadron of the Year):
VMFA-314
Lawson H. M. Sanderson Award (Attack Squadron of the Year):
VMA-223
Henry Wildfang Award (Aerial/Refueler/Transport Squadron of the Year):
VMGR-252
Fred McCorkle Award (Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron of the Year):
VMM-365
Keith B. McCutcheon Award (Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron of the Year):
HMH-466
John P. Giguere Award (Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron of the Year):
HMLA-367
John I. Hudson Award (Marine Unmanned Aircraft Squadron of the Year):
VMU-1
Donald E. Davis Award (Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year):
MALS-39
James E. Hatch Award (Marine Wing Support Squadron of the Year):
MWSS-371
Edward S. Fris Award (Air Command/Control Squadron of the Year):
MACS-2
Pete Ross Award (Aviation Safety):
VMM-268