GOLDEN CANDLE AWARD: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
OSS '04: To the JHU-APL, and especially to Capt Joseph Mazzafro, USN (Ret) and Dr. Michael Vlahos, for sustained excellence in the integration of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) into their complex all-source analytic efforts in support of the Department of Defense. Aided by the Gibson Library, they have set a new standard.
JHU-APL has always been a special place for special people to work in a manner that allows for the crossing of boundaries. In the world of public intelligence in the public interest, two have stood out–Capt Joe Mazzafro, USN (Ret), who speaks truth to power in a manner most compelling, and Michael Vlahos, more on him on his own page.
Over the years Capt Mazzafro has, in our view, demonstrated integrity in discerning and reporting the truth, that is sorely lacking in too many quarters. He does this on force structure, on strategy, on personnel, not just on sources & methods. Below is hie contribution to OSS '04.