Coast Guard Academy officer honored for achievement

New London - Lt. Ashley Crouch, aide to the superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, received a Coast Guard Achievement Medal on Aug. 25.

The citation states that she received the medal for her superior performance of duty while assigned to the Professional Maritime Studies Department at the academy from July 2008 to July 2010. A nautical science instructor, Crouch taught more than 600 cadets lessons on navigation, relative motion and ship handling using visual simulation and training vessels.

"I loved teaching navigation for the last two years, and I'm also excited to begin my new job as aide," Crouch said.

Rear Adm. J. Scott Burhoe, academy superintendent, said that Crouch "displayed remarkable passion for each cadet's professional development" and provided extensive feedback for research papers, laboratory assignments and exams, along with extra instruction for those in need of extra assistance.

Crouch also managed the administrative and logistics functions for more than 50 cadets selected for the one semester experience at sister service academies. During the summer training program aboard the barque Eagle, Crouch qualified as officer of the deck and served as a subject matter expert, directing the instruction on fundamental navigation concepts for more than 250 cadets.