The Maryland Swimming Service Medal
The Maryland Swimming Service Medal was created to honor the men and women of Maryland Swimming who have joined the military of the United States since 1980. The awarding of the medal takes place during the induction ceremony into the Maryland Swimming Hall of Fame. Honorees receive a medal and Maryland Swimming makes a contribution to one of three charities of the recipient’s choosing in their name – the USO, Homes for Our Troops, or Fallen Patriots. The inception of the award grew from teammates of Joseph Curreri seeking to honor their friend. The award, therefore, bears his name.
SELECTION CRITERIA
NOMINATION FORMS and corroborating information must be submitted to MDSI Board Member John Cadigan for consideration.
2019 Honorees
SSG JOSEPH FRANCESCO MICHAEL CURRERI (USA) was born September 23, 1980, to Frank and Karen Curreri. Joe swam for the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, Loyola Blakefield Aquatics, and briefly for the Eagle Swim Team. Nationally ranked as a 14-year-old, Joe graduated from Loyola Blakefield and then received his B.A. in History from the University of Southern California, where he was a captain of the swim team. Joe entered the US Army in 2004. He was a Special Forces (Green Beret) communications sergeant assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Forces group, (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Washington. Joe died October 26, 2007, following an 11-hour scuba training mission in the Philippines. Joe is survived by his widow, Athena Curreri Wickham, mother, Karen, father, Frank, stepmother Tricia, sister, Shannon Curreri-Trevino, brother-in-law, Laurence, stepsister Angelina, and two nieces, Maya and Gabrielle.
SGT ALLEN LARKIN O’REILLY (USMC) was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 7, 1980, and moved to Baltimore, Maryland in the spring of 1981. Allen joined NBAC in 1988 and swam under Coach Tom Himes and Murray Stephens. His specialty was the breaststroke and he won numerous individual and team events. Allen still holds several NBAC team records in the breaststroke and was part of a record-setting relay team. Allen moved to Tampa, Florida in early 1993 and after graduating from Gaither High School joined the US Marine Corps in July 1999. Allen was assigned to Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron HML/A-269 “Gunrunners” at MCAS New River, North Carolina. He deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom combat operations at Jalibah, and multiple forward operating bases in Northern Iraq during the start of the war in 2003. Allen is survived by his parents, Eileen and Bud O’Reilly, and brothers Charlie and Brian.
