Frequently China Letter Contributor and Jamestown author Dr. Andrew Erickson was honored by the U.S. Navy for his outstanding research and service.

On July 29, 2024, Rear Admiral Peter A. Garvin, President of the Naval War College, presented Dr. Erickson with the Navy Superior Civilian Service Medal at an awards ceremony in Newport, Rhode Island, honoring Sailors and civilians on faculty and staff. This is “the highest honorary award that the Chief of Naval Operations or the Commandant of the Marine Corps can bestow on a civilian employee of the Department of the Navy and the highest award bestowed at the principal applicant level.”

In addition to his own leading research on PRC defense issues as a faculty member of the Naval War College for the past eighteen years, Dr. Erickson was recognized for his help in establishing and supporting the Naval War College’s China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI) and for serving as its research director from 2021 to 2023. The award specifies: among other thingsthat Dr. Erickson “has shaped how the U.S. military and key partners and allies respond to developments in China’s military-maritime domain. His research, presentations, and recommendations have influenced military doctrine and the assessments, policies, and actions of various agencies.”

Dr. Erickson has written for the Jamestown Foundation on 21 China Letter Articles and China’s development of anti-ship ballistic missiles: drivers, trajectories and strategic implications (2013) and Six years at sea … and it continues: Fighting piracy in the Gulf of Aden and China’s presence in the maritime commons (2015). He also participated in Jamestown events as a conference speaker for over a decade. Jamestown President Peter Mattis said, “I met Andrew when I was editor of China Letter¸ and it is difficult to imagine an analyst more deserving of this award. His seriousness, integrity, and insight shine through, and Professor Erickson demonstrates how powerful correct analytical work can be and exemplifies the standard we strive for at Jamestown.”

“Andrew was instrumental in the founding of the Institute upon his arrival in Newport in June 2004, and his deep insights into developments in China’s military-maritime domain continue to guide CMSI’s research efforts today,” said CMSI Director Christopher Sharman. “Like each of the CMSI directors before me, I rely on Andrew’s advice and unique insights into the Navy’s most pressing intelligence needs. This award is long overdue, but it is great to see the Navy finally recognize Andrew’s two decades of service and his contributions that have helped define our future Navy and support our nation in this era of great power competition.”

Shortly after the award ceremony, two of Dr. Erickson’s long-term research projects bore fruit. The Baker Institute at Rice University published its 168-page study on the consequences of Chinese control over Taiwan. The National Bureau of Asian Research published its multimedia essay on the geography of China’s military-maritime development.