Commander Marcus Jacques (50), who is originally from Grouville, has been made an OBE for outstanding performance as the Royal Navy’s liaison officer to the US Coast Guard.
He has been the direct link between the UK Ministry of Defence and the US Coast Guard South division since 2018, forging tight links between them.
Commander Jacques also played a fundamental role in developing Bermuda’s Coast Guard. His work there is now being expanded into the other UK overseas territories.
The official citation stated: ‘His dedication, energy and enterprise have been exemplary and in the finest traditions of the service.’
His wife, Karen (46), said: ‘He was really surprised and really honoured.’
He had received a phone call from the Defence Attaché at the British Embassy and she explained: ‘He thought it was about the logistics of some travel arrangements. He had no idea it would be about
an OBE.
‘I think it stopped him in his tracks. It was a bolt from the blue.’
This is Commander Jacques’s last role before he retires from the Royal Navy. He plans to return to Jersey. He said: ‘It is a huge privilege and honour to receive this award from the Queen. I will be leaving an enjoyable and rewarding career in the Royal Navy on a high.’
However, the OBE is not his first award. In 2015 he was honoured by the Danish government.
He received the Danish Defence Medal for Meritorious International Service for his part in an international mission to recover containers carrying Syrian chemical warfare agents.
Without being recovered, the chemical agents could have found their way to ISIS operatives.
Under the mission, called Operation Recsyr, 181 containers carrying 1,300 tonnes of dangerous chemicals were transported to the US, Britain and Finland to be destroyed.
Commander Jacques first acquired an interest in sailing with lessons with the Channel Islands Yacht Club, and later joined the Combined Cadet Forces at Victoria College. His mother Marie and brother Hugo still live in Grouville. He and Karen currently live in Florida and have a 14-year-old son, Monty.
He is due to return to the UK in the summer to receive his award.
