2023 America and the Sea Award Gala

SAVE THE DATE:

OCTOBER 4, 2023

Mystic Seaport Museum Honors

Admiral James Stavridis, USN (Ret)

Mystic Seaport Museum is pleased to announce that the recipient of the 18th annual America and the Sea Award is Admiral James Stavridis, USN (Ret), a decorated sailor, author, educator, consultant, and businessman contributing to the American maritime culture through his nearly four decades of service and numerous books and articles on related subjects. The award will be presented at a black-tie gala on October 4 at the Metropolitan Club in New York City.

In the early pages of his book Sea Power Admiral Stavridis speaks of his first voyage on the Pacific: “As I emerged from the dark passageway of the ship, I was simply stunned by all the sunshine, the salt air and vast ocean in front of me. . . . The Pacific grabbed me by the throat and said quite simply, ‘You are Home’ and I have never looked back.”

Adm. Stavridis spent 37 years in the US Navy achieving the rank of 4-Star Admiral, earning over 50 medals, and spending four years as the Supreme Allied Commander at NATO. He is currently the Managing Director and Vice Chairman, Global Affairs, at the Carlyle Group, and chair of the Board of the Rockefeller Foundation. In addition to attending the US Naval Academy, he received an MA and PhD from the Fletcher School at Tufts University. He is the author of twelve books—published in over twenty languages—on leadership, character, risk, the oceans, maritime affairs, and Latin America, as well as hundreds of articles in leading journals. Admiral Stavridis’s acclaimed writing, accomplished career, and leadership positions as a man of the sea demonstrate the engagement with the sea that the America and the Sea Award seeks to honor.

Museum President Peter Armstrong said, “Admiral Stavridis is a kindred spirit with all of us at Mystic Seaport Museum who share his devotion to the maritime world. The breadth and depth of his varied accomplishments throughout his career represent the America and the Sea Award.”

For more information about the gala and Admiral Stavridis please visit mysticseaport.org/gala. This affair is the premier fundraising event for Mystic Seaport Museum. For invitations, please email advancement@mysticseaport.org.

Sherri Ramella, Editorial Director and Associate Director of Advancement

Past Recipients

2022 Captain Bill Pinkney

2021 Terry Hutchinson

2020 Tom Whidden

2019 Wendy Schmidt

2018 Dawn Riley and Oakcliff Sailing

2017 David Rockefeller, Jr., and Sailors for the Sea

2016 Bob and Rod Johnstone, J/Boats

2015 Nathaniel Philbrick

2014 Charles A. Robertson

2013 Gary Jobson

2012 Jon Wilson and WoodenBoat

2011 The Honorable John F. Lehman

2010 Sylvia A. Earle

2009 William I. Koch

2008 Thomas B. Crowley, Jr., and the Crowley Maritime Corporation

2007 David McCullough

2006 Olin J. Stephens, II