In a ceremony May 9th, 2013, Dr. Francis (Frank) Klemm, Superintendent of the Tactical Electronic Warfare Division (TEWD) at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), received the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award.
Dr. Francis J. Klemm is recognized for his outstanding contributions to and his impact upon the U.S. Navy's electronic warfare programs.
This is the highest Navy award that the Secretary of the Navy can confer on a civilian employee. The bestowal of this award is to employees who have distinguished themselves by extraordinary service or contributions of major significance to the Department of the Navy.
Dr. Klemm is recognized for his outstanding contributions to the U.S. Navy's war-fighting capability in Electronic Warfare. His efforts span 35 years at NRL creating, developing, and moving to the Fleet new electronic warfare systems making a game-changing difference in the U.S. Navy's war-fighting capabilities.
Dr. Klemm has demonstrated the ability to personally create new and novel solutions to complex Electronic Warfare challenges, nurture their development, and provide the leadership to implement them. He is widely known for his work in the field of electronic warfare systems technologies. His efforts in creating, developing, and moving to the Fleet new electronic warfare systems place the United States Navy at the forefront of electromagnetic dominance in the world bringing NRL national and international recognition.
Dr. Klemm has received numerous awards including the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award for Quick Reaction Capabilities in support of Operation Earnest Will, 1989; Special Act Award for Quick Reaction Capability in support of Operation Desert Storm, 1991; Merit for Group Achievement, 2002 and 2003; Old Crows Lifetime Achievement Award, 2005; Presidential Meritorious Senior Executive, 2007; and the Technical Cooperation Program Achievement Award, 2009.
Dr. Klemm graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a Ph.D. in Aeronautical Engineering in 1975 and began working at NRL as an aeronautical engineer in the Offboard Countermeasures Branch of NRL. In 1981 Dr. Klemm became the section head of the Vehicle Research Section in the Tactical Electronic Warfare Division. Subsequently, in 1985 he headed the Offboard Countermeasures Branch of TEWD until 2001. Dr. Klemm then became Acting Superintendent of NRL's TEWD until 2003 upon which he became Superintendent of NRL's Tactical Electronic Warfare Division.