Honoring Army Crew’s Legacy of Service and Sacrifice
by Desrae Gibby ’91 (Crew Coach)
The Golden Oar represents respect, remembrance, resilience, trustworthiness, teamwork, and toughness to an Army rower. On February 28, 2025, the Golden Oar ceremony honored and remembered wounded and fallen former crew members.
Team Commodore CDT Anthony Tinerella ’25 emphasized the tradition, stating that no oar should touch the water in the spring before “we take a moment to remember our teammates who are no longer able to row beside us.”
CDT Calvin Shepler ’26 highlighted the importance of “introspection” and the “exceptional bond” between Army rowers. “[The Golden Oar serves] as a living testament to our team’s core values and the legacy of our fallen comrades… We row not only for each other but for those who laid down their lives.”
A decade ago, CDT Jordan Duran ’16 conceived the idea of the Golden Oar ceremony. At the second ceremony, Men’s Team Captain David Grossman ’16 reflected, “The Army Crew is a special team. We are synchronized by our commitment to service. We row for more than each other, and we never forget our men and women who have sacrificed before us.”
Over the past 10 years, family members and teammates of the honored crew members have attended and even participated in the two-mile inspirational run from Trophy Point to the Hudson River to dip the Golden Oar in the water. This year, several guest cadets represented the companies of those honored. Former coaches LTC (R) Stephen Arata ’79 and Christine McDonald were also in attendance, reminiscing and commenting on the program’s growth since the 1980s.
Cadet crew members took turns honoring the wounded and fallen. All in attendance observed a moment of silence for those who had rowed before.
Among those honored was LTC Jaimie Leonard ’97, who loved the sport so much that she used her cow car loan to buy a single scull. Her classmates recalled how, during grueling practices, Jaimie “embraced the suck” and lived her life by that motto. Leonard served multiple combat tours and was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2013. Testimonials on the Be Thou at Peace page described her as a “fellow Spartan,” a great mentor, and a “great person at heart.”
MAJ Andy Byers ’08, of the 10th Special Forces Group, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2016. Byers’ heroic leadership and devotion to duty—without regard for his own life— he epitomized the character the Army Crew Team nurtures. His Silver Star citation recounts how he slogged through waist-deep mud, climbed a 100-foot cliff, cleared two compounds, and saved the life of an Afghan soldier.
Charles Driscoll ’95 rowed as stroke during his Army Crew career, setting the rhythm and rate of the boat. According to his memorial article, “Just as a good stroke brings out the very best in each rower, Charlie brought out the best in his friends and family… In fact, Charlie’s motivation was so powerful that it inspired all eight crew members to attend Ranger School after graduation.”
Also honored was CPT Sam Brown ’06 (nominee for Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs), who was wounded in action, suffering burns over 30% of his body. Brown was commissioned on the Caufield Boathouse roof.
A special tribute and thank you was paid to BG Frank J. Caufield ’34 and Frank Caufield ’62, whose family’s generosity contributed to building the 2002 Boathouse.
As Army Crew begins its spring season, they are motivated to leave nothing on the water—rowing in honor of those who gave their all in selfless service.
