Monday, January 27, 2020

Woodstock Native Named Petty Officer of the Year

(NORFOLK, Va.) A Woodstock, Georgia, native was named Junior Sailor of the Year aboard the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Dec. 16.

Machinist’s Mate (Nuclear) 2nd Class Joshua Adam Van Heusen, a 2011 graduate of Woodstock High School, took home top honors as the ship’s Junior Sailor of the Year (JSOY).

Each command across the Navy chooses one JSOY, the unit’s top-performing second class petty officer, each year.

Van Heusen said he was honored to be selected.

“This feels unbelievable,” he said. “It’s difficult for reactor department Sailors to receive command awards like this based off the different watches we stand. I am extremely proud of this accomplishment.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower is currently conducting operations while underway in the Atlantic Ocean.