The Commanding Officer and crew of HMBS FLAMINGO were bestowed with national honors during the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Investiture of National Honors Ceremony on October 31st, 2022, at the Baha Mar Convention Center, Cable Beach.Keynote speaker for the occasion, the Honorable Phillip E. Davis, KC, congratulated the men for their bravery and performances while guarding and protecting the sovereignty of The Bahamas on 10 May 1980. The Distinguished Service Medal was awarded posthumously to Senior Commander Amos Cephas Rolle. Receiving the Acts of Bravery Medal were Captain Anthony Allens, Captain Whitfield Neely, Sub Lieutenant Wilfred O. Sands, Force Chief Petty Officer Peterson James, Force Chief Petty Officer Denzil Clarke, Force Chief Petty Officer Gregory Curry, Chief Petty Officer Eugene Thompson, Chief Petty Officer Anthony Russell, Chief Petty Officer Maynard O. Sands, Petty Officer Leopold Eugene Kirby, Leading Seaman Willard Saunders, Able Seaman Trevor Sands, Able Seaman John Wallace and Able Seaman Cladwell Farrington.The four marines lost at sea, Able Seaman Frenrick Sturrup, Marine Seaman Edward Williams, Marine Seaman Austin Smith and Marine Seaman David Tucker, were awarded the Order of Lignum Vitae.Dignitaries and invited guests included the Governor General of the Bahamas, His Excellency, the Most Honorable Sir. Cornelius A. Smith, Prime Minister Philip E. Davis, KC, Minister of National Security, the Honorable Wayne Munroe, KC, the Commander Defence Force, Commodore Dr. Raymond King and Mrs. King, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Clayton Fernander, and Ambassador at Large, His Excellency Ron Pinder, who also brought remarks.It has been forty-two years, but the Bahamian populace shall never forget the ultimate sacrifice made by the crew of HMBS FLAMINGO. The high standard and quality of their training are testament for those who survived the ordeal, and several initiatives, including the construction of HMBS Flamingo Memorial Park and Monument, Coral Harbour Base, have been established to ensure the memories of that fateful day are not forgotten.(RBDF photos by Marine Seaman Rickey Sealey)
