Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell, Navy League present medallion to Gov. Brian Sandoval

Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell, in collaboration with the Navy League of the United States Carson City Council, presented Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval with a commemorative coin depicting both the recently christened USNS Carson City and the historic USS Carson City, a Tacoma-class frigate commissioned by the U.S. Navy from 1944-1945.

The USNS Carson City is the seventh of a fleet of 10 Expeditionary Fast Transport vessels being built for the Navy by Austal, a global defense contractor. The modern, multi-mission, non-combatant transport vessel designed for high volume, high speed ship is captained by Carson City native Capt. Bob Wiley and is going to be stationed in Spain.

“I am very honored,” Sandoval said. “The coin is extraordinary, a work of art. It is a beautiful medallion I will treasure and display proudly.”

Crowell was accompanied by his wife Susan, who served as the USNS Carson City’s sponsor during last month’s christening at the Austal shipyard in Mobile, Ala.; Clarence “Bud” Southard, president of the U.S. Navy League Carson City Council and a Nevada Veteran of the Month, who was accompanied by his wife, Carolyn, who served as the ship’s Matron of Honor; and Donna Brand Moormann, retired Navy Commander and public relations chair for the Carson City Council.

“It was a pleasure to represent the Navy League and meet with the Governor to present him with the medallion that speaks on behalf of the sponsor, Susan Crowell, and the Matron of Honor, Carolyn Southard, and all those that took part in the christening of the ship,” said Bud Southard.

Southard said the group presented a Boston bronze plaque to the USNS Carson City emblazoned with the city seal at the christening. The 20-inch wide by 16-inch long plaque carries both the Navy League and Merchant Marine crests plus a layer of sandstone to represent Carson City as well as the Carson City shield which was designed by Captain Wiley.

“This is a great day sharing the pride of Carson City in the new USNS Carson City with Gov. Sandoval,” Crowell said. “And the day is made even more special by Commander Moormann, whose father was a machinist mate aboard the USS Nevada BB 63.”

The governor said he’s a collector of medallions and coins, and loves naval memorabilia. When decorating his office, Gov. Sandoval said he went down to the storage rooms to find wall decorations and uncovered the ship’s wheel from the USS Nevada BB 63, the wheel now hangs on the wall behind his desk.