Photo by retired Capt. Joe Pica, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); original story submitted by retired Lt. Col. Mike Moose, U.S. Army and member of the ROA Communications Committee.
On July 19, 2025, retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Paul Kayye, M.D., was recognized by the Department of North Carolina, Reserve Organization of America (ROA), for decades of service and leadership within the association and to the nation.
Kayye has served in leadership roles at the chapter, department and national levels, culminating in his tenure as National President of ROA. His contributions reflect a career of sustained commitment to both the military and the association’s mission of supporting Reserve Component service members.
In 2024, Kayye received ROA’s prestigious John R. Delafield Achievement Award, which is presented to members whose efforts exemplify distinguished service to the organization. The honor came in addition to his accomplished U.S. Navy career and medical profession.
During the Department of North Carolina’s annual convention this July, Kayye was presented with a rare and historically significant book: the 1990 edition of Naval Warfare Under Oars by Adm. William Ledyard Rodgers. First published in 1940 by the U.S. Naval Institute, the work is regarded as the definitive study of naval warfare in the pre-modern era, covering the evolution of maritime combat from roughly 400 A.D. through 1570 A.D.
Mike Moose, who acquired the volume in 2024, recognized its value not only as a scholarly text but also as a symbolic tribute to Kayye. The book traces centuries of naval strategy and innovation, offering insight into the foundations of sea power—an area that directly connects to Kayye’s service and the traditions of the Navy he helped lead.
The presentation of Naval Warfare Under Oars was intended as a surprise gift and a token of appreciation for Kayye’s many years of service to ROA. Department leaders emphasized that the gesture underscored both the enduring relevance of naval history and the personal legacy of an admiral who dedicated his career to advancing readiness, leadership and the Reserve force.