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SAN PEDRO, Calif. – July 1, 2025 – The National Museum of the Surface Navy, founded aboard Battleship IOWA and scheduled  to open in 2026, today announced the recipients of the 2025 Freedom of the Seas award honors. The Freedom of the Seas  awards, which recognize the trailblazers who are inspiring the next generation through service, innovation, and leadership, will be presented at the fifth annual Freedom of the Seas Awards Dinner, which will be held aboard the historic Battleship IOWA on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.

The Freedom of the Seas Awards Dinner is held annually in honor of the largest naval battle of World War II, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, which transformed the U.S. Navy into the force that has ensured Freedom of the Seas for the past 81 years. This year’s event will celebrate 250 years of the Surface Navy. Attendees at the premier annual event will include top leaders from the education, veteran, community, industry, government, and military sectors.

Our 2025 award recipients are:

 

Freedom of the Seas Award

Victor Vescovo

Undersea Explorer and Retired Naval Officer
Samuel L. Gravely, Jr. Award

Tanya Acker

Lawyer, Judge, Podcast Host, and Non-Profit Leader
Humanitarian Service Award

Kerri Kasem

Humanitarian, Activist, and Business Leader
Innovation & Exploration Award

Lockheed Martin

Aerospace and Defense Innovator