HMS Medusa (SD-316): Difference between revisions
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| 3 || [[CAPTJG]] [[Sir]] Timber Lupindo, [[KE]], [[DGC]], [[CGM]] || 2 Jul 2022<ref name="BSD220701">[[BuShips Directive 2207-01]]</ref> || 18 Oct 2025<ref name="BSD251004">[[BuShips Directive 2510-04]]</ref> | | 3 || [[CAPTJG]] [[Sir]] Timber Lupindo, [[KE]], [[DGC]], [[CGM]] || 2 Jul 2022<ref name="BSD220701">[[BuShips Directive 2207-01]]</ref> || 18 Oct 2025<ref name="BSD251004">[[BuShips Directive 2510-04]]</ref> | ||
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| 4 || [[Captain (SG)|CAPT(SG)]] Michael Garcia, [[GCE]], [[KDR]], [[MC]], [[OC]], [[SC]], [[OG]], [[CGM]], [[GS]], [[OCN]], [[CBM | | 4 || [[Captain (SG)|CAPT(SG)]] Michael Garcia, [[GCE]], [[KDR]], [[MC]], [[OC]], [[SC]], [[OG]], [[CGM]], [[GS]], [[OCN]], [[CBM]] || 18 Oct 2025<ref name="BSD251004">[[BuShips Directive 2510-04]]</ref> || ''Incumbent'' | ||
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Revision as of 01:16, 13 July 2026
| HMS Medusa SD-316 | |
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| Charter City: | San Francisco, CA, US |
| Class: | Medusa |
| Type: | Superdreadnought |
| Affiliation: |  Royal Manticoran Navy
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| Commander: | CAPT(SG) Michael Garcia, GCE, KDR, MC, OC, SC, OG, CGM, GS, OCN, CBM, RMN |
| Launched: | 14 NOV 2015 |
| Status: | Active |
| Reporting to: | Battle Division 201 |
| Fleet: | Tenth Fleet |
| Website: | http://hmsmedusa.org |
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- For the database project called MEDUSA, see: Manticoran Enhanced Data Usability Service Architecture
HMS Medusa (SD-316) is a Medusa-class Pod-laying Superdreadnought within Battle Division 201 of Battle Squadron 2. Commanded by CAPTJG Sir Erik Roberts, KDE, QBM, Medusa claims San Francisco, California as her charter city. Medusa is the lead ship of her class and serves as the Flagship of the Bureau of Ships. She has the distinction of being the first superdreadnought to serve within that fleet.
History
Medusa was first brought into commission on 14 November 2015 under the command of CDRE Michael Garcia, by order of BuShips.[1] Her crew was formerly assigned to HMS Artemis and upgraded to this new vessel. After commissioning, she was immediately assigned to Task Group 91.1's command, and Countess Fontana Flats transferred her flag aboard. She has participated in several Fleet Events, including OryCon 37, FresCon 2016, NorWesCon 39, and BayCon 2016.
In late February 2016, CDRE Garcia stepped down as commanding officer and was relieved by CAPTJG Erik Roberts. Medusa formed Battle Division 201 with HMS Intractable in September 2016, as part of Battle Squadron 2. Medusa presently serves as the divisional flagship.
Countess Fontana Flats transferred her flag to HMS Truculent in January 2017, leaving newly-promoted RADM Garcia the lone flag officer aboard. Under Admiralty Order 1612-02, he claimed Medusa as his flagship and therefore representing the Bureau of Ships.
Medusa has served as the hosting vessel for multiple Fleet Exercises, including Convolution 2015, Convolution 2016, BayCon 2017, BayCon 2018, and BayCon 2019.
Due to the change in command of BuShips in late March 2019, flagship status was transferred to sister ship HMS Valkyrie. VADM Garcia's billet being subordinate to FADM Lochen's flag, Medusa's flagship status remains with BatDiv 201.
On 2 July 2022, CAPTJG Sir Timber Lupindo relieved CAPT(SG) Roberts as commanding officer.[2] Subsequent command-staff changes appointed SCYN Robert S. Toland as Bosun (30 July 2023)[3] and CDR Sir David P. Goldsberry as Executive Officer (17 January 2024).[4] On 18 October 2025, CAPT(SG) Michael Garcia — Medusa's first commanding officer — returned to command, relieving CAPTJG Lupindo, with Senior Chief Helmsman David O'Shea appointed Bosun.[5] Ensign Christina Hankey, promoted aboard Medusa in December 2025, was subsequently appointed Commanding Officer of SMS Scharnhorst and breveted to Captain (JG), effective 13 April 2026.[6]
Beyond her formal duties, Medusa has sustained an active convention and community presence, representing TRMN at events including CarrierCon (2022 and 2025) and BayCon/MantiCon 2023, alongside recruiting drives and charitable outreach such as the crew's "Rosie the Riveter" activity. This sustained engagement earned the crew enrollment on the List of Honor for the 2023 calendar year[7] and, for completing all nine Grand Alliance Unit Excellence Program Letters in 2025, a third Royal Meritorious Unit Citation.
In early 2026, Medusa began holding joint in-person meetings with the crew of HMS Guadalcanal at Pea Soup Andersen's in Santa Nella, California — first in January and again that spring. The chapter has likewise recognized notable individual service and shared moments as a crew: Spacer Kassidy Gowan received the Survivors Cross for stopping to assist and coordinate emergency services at a highway accident, and at a muster in February 2026 the crew dimmed the ship's lights and observed a moment of silence in memory of the father of SMCCM Sir Shon Elliott.
Commanding Officers
| # | Name | Assumed | Relieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CDRE Michael Garcia, OC, GS | 14 Nov 2015[1] | 22 Feb 2016 |
| 2 | CAPTJG Sir Erik Roberts, KDE, QBM | 22 Feb 2016[8] | 2 Jul 2022[2] |
| 3 | CAPTJG Sir Timber Lupindo, KE, DGC, CGM | 2 Jul 2022[2] | 18 Oct 2025[5] |
| 4 | CAPT(SG) Michael Garcia, GCE, KDR, MC, OC, SC, OG, CGM, GS, OCN, CBM | 18 Oct 2025[5] | Incumbent |
Crew Lineage
- 23 JAN 2014: Launched as HM Pinnace Roland-One.
- 15 APR 2014: Commissioned as HMS Artemis, Roland-One returned to boat bay.
- 14 NOV 2015: Upgraded to HMS Medusa, Artemis is recommissioned in Santa Ana, CA.
Command Staff
- Commanding Officer: CAPT(SG) Michael Daniel Garcia, GCE, KDR, MC, OC, SC, OG, CGM, GS, OCN, CBM, RMN, Earl of McCovey Cove[5]
- Executive Officer: CDR Sir David P. Goldsberry, KDE, GSN[4]
- Ship's Bosun: Senior Chief Helmsman David O'Shea, RMN[5]
Embarked Flag Officer(s)
- MGEN William T Farley II, CBM, RMMC, Tenth Expeditionary Force Commanding Officer
Marine Detachment
- Commanding Officer: LTCOL Dame Mary K. Cooper, KDE, CBM, RMMC
- Executive Officer: CPT Ben Haines, RMMC
- Gunny: 1SGT Andrew M. Jenner, Jr., RMMC
Auxiliary Craft
HM Pinnace Medusa-One
Her Majesty's Pinnace Medusa-One was launched on March 25, 2016 under the command of then-ENS Joseph Harney. The crew of this pinnace recruited enough members to commission a new destroyer, HMS Chainshot, in late May of that year, after which the pinnace was returned to the boat bay.
Ship's Honors
Decorations
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- Royal Meritorious Unit Citation: Awarded 24 May 2016, by order of ADM Lady Chrissy Killian, for winning the first Talbott Cup challenge (Gunnery).
- Royal Meritorious Unit Citation: Awarded 29 May 2017, by order of ADM Lady Chrissy Killian, for winning the first Talbott Cup challenge (Gunnery).
- Royal Meritorious Unit Citation: Awarded 2026 (for the 2025 calendar year) by VADM Justin Dupras, Third Space Lord, for completing all nine Grand Alliance Unit Excellence Program Letter challenges.[9]
List of Honor
Medusa was enrolled on the List of Honor for calendar year 2023 (effective 11 March 2024), by order of the Bureau of Ships, in recognition of the crew's representation at conventions, community service, charity, and work within TRMN well above the call of duty. All crew who were part of the chapter in 2023 are entitled to wear the List of Honor ribbon with gold border and scroll, and Medusa's ship crest bears the gold rope border signifying enrollment.[7]
Event Awards
- BayCon 2022: the Havenite War Campaign Medal was awarded to S1C Robin Vaslakos for service at the Admiralty House Event (5 December 2022).[10]
- BayCon/MantiCon 2023: the Commanding Officer awarded the Navy/Marine Achievement Medal to crew for recruiting-table and wardroom service during the convention.[11]
- 2026: the Survivors Cross was awarded to S2C Kassidy Gowan by Tenth Fleet Commanding Officer Edward Newton, for stopping to assist and coordinate emergency services at a vehicle accident.[12]
Ship's Orders
Ship's Orders are subordinate to, and expand upon or amplify Admiralty Orders, Naval Directives, Tenth Fleet Orders, and Task Group 91.1 Orders. They are applicable to Medusa operations and personnel.
| Order No. | Effective Date | Subject | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HMS Medusa Ship's Order 2605-01 | 25 May 2026 | Promotions (Nicolai) | Active |
| HMS Medusa Ship's Order 2604-01 | 26 Apr 2026 | Promotions (Kells, Konijn, Gowan, Kinkade, Smith) | Active |
| HMS Medusa Ship's Order 2603-01 | 24 Mar 2026 | Promotions (Vasilakos, Robinson) | Active |
| HMS Medusa Ship's Order 2602-01 | 9 Feb 2026 | Promotions (Books, Coblentz) | Active |
| HMS Medusa Ship's Order 2512-01 | 29 Dec 2025 | Promotions (Hankey, Nicolai, Gowan) | Active |
| HMS Medusa Ship's Order 2207-03 | July 2022 | Standing Orders | Active |
| HMS Medusa Ship's Order 2207-02 | July 2022 | Billet Announcement (Goldsberry, Coxswain) | Active |
| HMS Medusa Ship's Order 2207-01 | July 2022 | Promotion Announcement (Robinett) | Active |
| HMS Medusa Ship's Order 1904.11-1 | 11 Apr 2019 | Promotions (Meyn, Hill) | Active |
| HMS Medusa Ship's Order 1711 | 3 Nov 2017 | Promotions (Meyn, Newby) | Active |
| HMS Medusa Ship's Order 1706-01 | June 2017 | Promotions (Meyn, Newby) | Active |
| HMS Medusa Ship's Order 1704-01 | April 2017 | Promotion (Brian Johnson) | Active |
| HMS Medusa Ship's Order 1607-01 | 18 Jul 2016 | PROMOTIONS AND BREVETS (Monticue, Johnson, Comeau, Garcia, Darkjester, Dolgoff, Thorn) | |
| HMS Medusa Ship's Order 1602-02 | 18 Feb 2016 | Appointment of Joseph Harney | |
| HMS Medusa Ship's Order 1602-01 | 16 Feb 2016 | Order of Promotion: JOSEPH HARNEY | |
| HMS Medusa Ship's Order 1601-02 | 18 Jan 2016 | Orders of Promotion (DOLGOFF, FARLEY, COMEAU, GOLDSBERRY, and GARCIA) | |
| HMS Medusa Ship's Order 1601-01 | 18 Jan 2016 | Appointment of David Goldsberry | |
| HMS Medusa Ship's Order 1511-01 | 24 Nov 2015 | Award of Navy/Marine Achievement Medal -- HADLEY, MELISSA |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 BuShips Directive 1511-08
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 BuShips Directive 2207-01
- ↑ BuShips Directive 2307-01
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 BuShips Directive 2401-04
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 BuShips Directive 2510-04
- ↑ BuShips Directive 2604-03
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 BuShips Directive 2403-03
- ↑ BuShips Directive 1602-09
- ↑ Grand Alliance Unit Excellence Program 2025 Awards, Award Announcements.
- ↑ BayCon 2022 Additional Award: HWCM, HMS Medusa chapter forum.
- ↑ BayCon/MantiCon 2023 Ship's Awards, HMS Medusa chapter forum.
- ↑ Award of the Survivors Cross — S2C Kassidy Gowan, Award Announcements.
See Also
| Medusa-class Superdreadnought (Pods) | |
|---|---|
| Medusa - Revenge - Thunderer - Valkyrie - Grendelsbane |
| Superdreadnoughts | |
|---|---|
| Royal Manticoran Navy | |
| Sphinx (SD) | Sphinx - Stormbringer‡ |
| Gryphon (SD) | Gryphon (lead) - Titan - Kraken - Manticore‡ |
| Medusa (SD-P) | Medusa (lead) - Revenge - Thunderer - Valkyrie Grendelsbane |
| Invictus (SD-P) | Invictus (lead) - Anasazi‡ - Imperator - Imperatrix - Implacable - Insurmountable - Interloper - Intractable - Intrepid - Invincible - Second Yeltsin |
| Grayson Space Navy | |
| Harrington (SD-P) | Barbara Bancroft - Hector Ferelli - Jason Mueller - Seneca Gilmore |
| Imperial Andermani Navy | |
| Seydlitz (SD) | Scharnhorst |
| Republic of Haven Navy | |
| Haven (SD) | Seljuk |