ARMSTRONG-ANDREW

Andrew Michael Burke Armstrong is a decorated United States Navy veteran whose service from July 3, 2013, to December 28, 2021, spanned three continents, two aircraft carriers, and a guided-missile destroyer, culminating in a legacy of resilience, duty, and leadership forged through both triumph and trauma. Enlisting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Armstrong entered the Navy at the age of 18 and quickly distinguished himself through perseverance and professionalism, graduating from Recruit Training Command in August 2013 and Culinary Specialist “A” School in November of the same year. He reported to his first duty station, the forward-deployed USS George Washington (CVN-73), in Yokosuka, Japan in December 2013.

During his first tour, Armstrong endured a sexual assault involving force or coercion in early 2014 at the hands of a senior non-commissioned officer—a formative and life-altering event. Despite the personal toll, he went on to support multinational operations such as Malabar, Talisman Sabre, and Valiant Shield, earning qualification as a Security Reaction Force Team Member and participating in diplomatic receptions in the Pacific theater. In August 2015, he transferred to the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) during a fleet rotation and completed successive Western Pacific patrols, gaining recognition for his qualifications in Surface, Aviation, and Information Warfare and rising to the rank of Petty Officer Third Class in 2015, and promoted to Petty Officer Second Class in 2021. On November 30, 2016, while underway off Hawaii, Armstrong reenlisted and was awarded his first Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for exemplary service.

In January 2017, he was reassigned to USS Carney (DDG-64), a destroyer based in Rota, Spain, where he supported NATO and U.S. 6th Fleet missions across Europe and the Middle East. He participated in major exercises including Joint Warrior, Sea Breeze, Bright Star, and Reliant Mermaid. On June 11, 2017, he was baptized aboard the Carney by LT Jeremy Blythe—a moment he described as the spiritual turning point of his life. That same year, Armstrong was medically evacuated following complications linked to PTSD, but he returned to duty weeks later and completed further patrols across the Black Sea and Mediterranean. In June 2018, he self-referred to an alcohol rehabilitation program, demonstrating a commitment to healing and accountability.

In 2019, Armstrong was transferred to Naval Support Activity Bethesda in Maryland, home of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. It was there that his diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, stemming from the 2014 assault, was officially confirmed and diagnosed. During his tenure, he was appointed the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Point of Contact and adopted Cleo, a golden retriever service dog who would later be honorarily commissioned in the U.S. Navy. In 2020, Armstrong received the national Daily Point of Light Award for his volunteer work training service dogs for fellow veterans. On Veterans Day 2021, he participated in the Centennial Commemoration of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, laying a flower in solemn tribute with LT Cleo by his side.

Throughout his career, Armstrong was recognized with multiple commendations including two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, three Navy “E” Ribbons, two Good Conduct Medals, and various campaign, service, and marksmanship awards. He completed patrols or port visits in over 25 countries, including Australia, Japan, Egypt, France, Germany, South Korea, and , the Netherlands reflecting a career of global reach and diplomatic significance.

Andrew Armstrong’s military service is one of courage through suffering, leadership forged in adversity, and service defined by compassion. From the deckplates of warships to the halls of Walter Reed, he embodied the Navy’s core values of honor, courage, and commitment.