BARSTOW, CA, USA U.S. Navy CTT1(SW), NIOC NORFOLK/TCS SPECWAR, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA SADR, IRAQ 07/06/2007
The Daugherty Memorial Assessment Center provides an objective assessment for the Navy to gauge warfighting capability of ships and aircraft, assess warfare training and analyze new defense systems. The facility, part of Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division, in Corona, California, commemorates the groundbreaking work NSWC Corona performs to support the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization in its mission to combat the threat of IEDs against the nation’s Armed Forces. This Center was dedicated on May 28, 2009, to the memory of Petty Officer First Class Steven Phillip Daugherty — and to every Sailor, Marine, Soldier, and Airman who has given their life in defense of this country.
Petty Officer Daugherty was a Navy cryptologic technician from Barstow, California, who was killed in Baghdad on July 6, 2007, when an improvised explosive device exploded under a Humvee in which he was riding. Also killed were Petty Officer First Class Jason Dale Lewis, 30, of Brookfield, Connecticut, and Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Richard McRill, 42, of Lake Placid, Florida.
Steven, 28, was respected by his peers as a professional and dedicated cryptologic technician. His work was vital to the success of important combat missions. His name is inscribed on National Security Agency’s Memorial Wall, “They Served in Silence.” Steven is only the second recipient of the National Intelligence Medal for Valor. He was a decorated Sailor, having been awarded a Bronze Star (with combat “V”), Purple Heart, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy E Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal (2 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He was also an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist.
Born in Apple Valley, California, Steven graduated with an associate’s degree in liberal studies from Barstow Community College. He enlisted in the Navy on August 9, 1991, graduated from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, in October, and then attended Naval Intelligence Training, Pensacola, Florida, in 2000. In 2003, he reported to Naval Technical Training Center Detachment, Fort Meade. He served at Naval Security Group Activity, based in Norfolk, from March 2004 to February 2007 before transferring to the Navy Information Operation Command Tactical Communications System Special Warfare, where he worked with elite Navy SEAL teams, providing critical intelligence support to troops on the ground.
On that fateful day in July, Steven and his team were returning from a highly sensitive Joint Task Force operation in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, when their vehicle struck an IED, killing him and the two other members of his unit. According to the National Security Agency, it turned out that the work he and his team performed earlier that day played a decisive role in thwarting a dangerous group of insurgents trying to kill U.S. and Coalition forces.
Steven rests in peace in the sacred ground of Arlington National Cemetery. He is survived by his father, Tom; mother, Lydia; son, Steven, Jr.; brothers, Richard and Robert; and a sister, Kristine.