ORDER OF FRIENDSHIP – The Order of Friendship Medal is the highest honor awarded to non-Russian-citizens. It was presented to U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Steven Smith and U.S. Air Force Maj. Patrick Poon at the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2006. The officers were recognized for their actions associated with the rescue of the Russian submarine crew on Aug. 7, 2005. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen
