The George I. Lythcott Award was established by the Black Commissioned Officers Advisory Group (BCOAG) in 1996. This award is to recognize a junior officer who demonstrates a genuine sense of public service and leadership initiative, and whose contributions helped to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of our Nation.

RADM George I. Lythcott, M.D. (1918-1995) was a former Assistant Commissioner of Health in New York City. As Assistant Commissioner of Health, RADM Lythcott was in charge of the Health Department's Bureau of Schoolchildren’s and Adolescent Health. RADM Lythcott was appointed as an Assistant Surgeon General and administrator of the Health Services Administration in the Department of Health and Human Services in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter. RADM Lythcott was an exceptional public servant who in the 1960s helped West African countries eradicate smallpox and measles. Public Health Service (PHS) officers (Grades O-2, O-3, or O-4) with a minimum of three (3) years of service in the Corps are eligible for this award.

Past Award Recipients