The USS Helena CA-75 proudly presents it's "E" Awards and Honors

HONORS AND AWARDS KEPT OUR MORALE HIGH ALL THROUGH THE YEAR. INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENTS WERE RECOGNIZED AT ALL-HANDS CONVOCATIONS ON THE FANTAIL, AND IN AUGUST, THE PRIDE OF EVERY HELENAMAN REACHED A NEW HIGH WITH THE PRESENTA- TION OF THE BATTLE EFFICIENCY "E" AWARD AS THE BEST CRUISER IN THE PACIFIC FLEET. CAPTAIN JOHNSON, IN ACCEPTING THE PLAQUE FROM RADM LOWRANCE, NOTED THAT THIS COVETED AWARD HAD COME TO HELENA ONLY THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF EVERY MAN ABOARD.

Information and pictures scanned from the Helena 1959 - 1960 Cruise Book

Unlike the "E" Awards on display topside, most of us did not view this award, painted in the working area of "M" Division.

Picture copied from the USS Helena CA-75 1958-1959 Cruise Book.

That is one huge "E" Award being painted on the after stack! Must be at least 4 feet high! Picture copied from the 1958 - 1959 USS Helena CA-75 Cruise Book. ENGINEERING Warren R. Peverill's Dress Blue Jumper.

The following information and pictures copied from the USS Helena CA-75 1960-1961 Cruise Book.
Provided by Warren R. Peverill "A" Division ENFN 1959 - 1962

In early August we learned that we had won our second consecutive E. Captain Kauffman himself put on the finishing touches, but he was in Washington with the other recently selected Rear Admirals when Admiral Keith came to present the award to the ship.

E's, E's, and More E's

In spite of a late start and a tough schedule in which to do their competitive exercises, the men of HELENA acquitted themselves in a highly respectable manner by capturing the Engineering E and eight Gunnery awards. The highlight was achieved by director 51 which won a gold E signifying five consecutive years of excellence. Other Gunnery E's were awarded to director 54, spot I, turret III, and mounts 52, 54, 55 and 56. The engineers, who were handicapped by long in-port periods that cut into fuel and water consumption scores, made up for this in their emergency and damage control drills with tallies high enough to enable them to paint the red E on the after stack.

Pride in their level, officer's motor boat and sharp shooting mounts is the mark of the men of FOURTH DIVISION

And Still Another E In mid-December Rear Admiral Kleber L. Masterson, COMCRUDIVONE, came aboard and presented the Supply Department with their second consecutive E. LCDR Hein accepted the award in his position as Supply Officer although he was careful to remark that the credit belonged to CDR Roland W. Breault who held the position for the period of the two awards.