18 March 2004 - US Navy Lt. Gregory Chad Miller, the  executive officer for the Underwater Construction Team  Two, Naval Base Ventura County based in Port Hueneme,  California, was awarded by President Arroyo the  Philippine Military Merit Medal for the critical  support provided by his unit during the search and  rescue operations of the personnel and crew of Super  Ferry 14, which caught fire while heading to Bacolod  en route from Manila. The solemn ceremony took place  in the Philippine Navy Headquarters.

Navy Lt. Miller said that his unit offered the use of  Zodiac rubber boats and outbound motors and prepared  the two crafts for launch after Philippine Marine  Major Antonio Rosario of Force Reconnaissance sought  out his help in rescuing the passengers and crew of  the ill-fated vessel.  The team was conducting  bilateral diver training in line with the Balikatan  Exercises 2004 in Ternate, Cavite when they received  the urgent request.

“It is completely unexpected” he said, upon receiving  the award from the President who took time out from a  busy schedule in order to personally confer the award  to him as well as to express gratitude for his  determination to help the Philippine Navy’s rescue  operations.

Lt. Miller was awarded along with 61 Philippine  Sailors and Marines for their valor and zeal in  conducting the rescue operations for Super Ferry 14.  The medals were awarded during the blessing and  commissioning of BRP General Mariano Alvarez (PS38),  the country’s newly acquired Cyclone Class vessel. It  was offered to the Arroyo administration through the  Excess Defense Articles Program of the Bush  administration. - END