Commander of Submarine of the Year has Nevada ties

Dick Benoit

Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002 | 9:03 a.m.

Timothy and Leda Brown of Gardnerville report that the USS Louisville, commanded by their son-in-law, Cmdr. Russell Janicke, has been selected as the Navy's "Pacific Fleet Submarine of the Year."

Janicke, an 18-year submarine veteran, is married to the Browns' daughter, Tamara.

According to the Browns, Janicke and his crew of 13 officers and 120 enlisted sailors were informed of the honor by Adm. Joseph Enright, commander of deployed submarines in the Pacific.

Many of the Louisville's accomplishments remain secret due to the classified nature of its missions, but some of Enright's personal words of commendation explain just how the crew earned the prestigious distinction, Timothy Brown said.

According to Brown, the admiral lauded the crew for completing three dangerous and innovative undersea missions that were vital to U.S. national security interests and pioneered new shallow-water submarine tactics that have been since adopted by the entire Navy.

The admiral also credited the crew with saving taxpayers money by proving that relatively inexpensive commercially available devices can be used to run sonar and fire control systems vital to submarine operations.

The Louisville is among the most advanced attack submarines in the world and capable of engaging in a wide variety of missions, including transporting special warfare operatives. The submarine is armed with both torpedoes and cruise missiles and fired the first Tomahawk missile of the Gulf War against Iraqi forces.

Emmy winner Vet of the Year

Dennis Franz, widely known for his portrayal of detective Andy Sipowicz on the television series "NYPD Blue" and a former combat soldier in the Army, was named Veteran of the Year during an evening filled with appearances by a dazzling array of U.S. government and Hollywood personalities.

The ceremony, to be aired by the History Channel on 7 p.m. Sunday at 7 p.m. EST, is held annually to commemorate America's past, present and future military.

Other honorees include first lady Laura Bush, for her dedication to the "Troops to Teachers" and Robert De Niro, who received the first "Audie Murphy Theatrical Award," named for the highly decorated World War II soldier who became a Hollywood star.

Scheduled performers for the ceremony included Michael Bolton, Randy Travis and the Air Force Band of the Golden West from Travis Air Force Base, Calif.

The show is the country's only award show to honor past, present and future military personnel.

In brief

Webster, the son of Charlana Cain of Las Vegas, was trained to inventory, issue, deliver and turn-in installation supplies and equipment and maintain computer automated supply systems for accountability.

All of the new soldiers received instruction in drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, physical fitness and basic first aid.com