Chuck Sams Receives Prestigious Lone Sailor Award

Chuck Sams, who was ISSN Sams on the USS Ranger (CV-61) in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm, received the Lone Sailor Award at the U.S. Navy Memorial’s Lone Sailor Awards dinner on 9 September in Washington, D.C. Admiral Stavridis also received the Lone Sailor Award. An inspirational video about Chuck captures why he deserves this award. Sams explains in the video, “I come from a long line of service members…and the expectation that you will defend your homeland and defend your people was instilled in me at a young age...No sailor serves alone. Every service member learns honor, courage and commitment. Those aren't words you take lightly. I've tried to live up to that every day, even post service."

Chuck was assigned to VA-155 "Silver Foxes" with CVW-2 embarked on the USS Ranger for Desert Storm. After serving in the Navy, Sams, who is Cayuse and Walla Walla, worked in tribal and state government, and in the non-profit natural resource and conservation management field. He was the 19th director of the National Park Service, from 16 December 2021 to 20 January 2025. 

Sams was joined at the dinner by five other former intelligence specialists (ISs) who served with him on the Ranger (Dan "Puff" Young from VA-145, Michael "Biggs" Bigley, Dan Farley, Ned Bacon and Jon Constant all from USS Ranger Oz Division.) VADM (Ret) Bob Sharp, who was with them on the Ranger, was able to meet up with the group for happy hour before the dinner. He commented that it was great to see and spend time with some of the phenomenally talented ISs he had served with from the USS Ranger/CVW-2 team from Desert Storm. Although it had been nearly 35 years since they'd seen each other, he noted it seemed just like yesterday, and he wasn't surprised at all to learn that they were all excelling in life and that Chuck was being recognized with such a prestigious honor. "I knew when I served with these individuals during times of conflict that their potential was limitless -- and we all knew that Chuck's commitment to service was something he not only wore on his sleeve, but deep in his heart. We're all blessed and proud to know Chuck Sams. He has not only dedicated time, energy, service and sacrifice to the defense of our homeland, but to the defense and the preservation of the land we all know and love as our home,” Sharp said.

The Lone Sailor Award is presented annually to Sea Service veterans who have distinguished themselves during and after their service in uniform, exemplifying the core values of honor, courage, and commitment. Indeed presented by the U.S. Navy Memorial. 

Chuck Sams honored with Lone Sailor Award

Desert Storm reunion at Astro’s Beer Hall, prior to the awards dinner (ranks here represent their ranks from 1991): LTJG Sharp, ISSN Michael "Bigs" Bigley, IS3 Jon Constant, ISSN Dan Farley, ISSN Chuck Sams and ISSN Frederick "Ned" Bacon IV. Bigs, Jon, Dan and Ned were all ship's company with Sharp on the USS Ranger, part of OZ Division.

Chuck Sams presented with Lone Sailor Award at Awards dinner on 9 September 2025 in Washington, DC.

Chuck Sams, former Director of the National Parks Service