The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Vernon Long Lowrance (NSN: 0-63108/1100), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, from 1 September 1964 to 19 November 1966. Vice Admiral Lowrance exercised military and operational command of the Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet during a period of unprecedented expansion in which the Atlantic Fleet Ballistic Missile Force alone increased from sixteen to twenty-nine submarines. In particular, he supervised the logistic support of this force, resulting in the achievement of an extremely high state of readiness marked by the completion of 188 deterrent patrols during his twenty-six months as Force Commander. Additionally, the nuclear and conventional attack submarine forces under his command completed a considerable number of missions of great importance to the United States. By virtue of his outstanding professional knowledge, Vice Admiral Lowrance ensured the completion of a most significant evaluation of the Navy’s newest submarine anti-submarine warfare weapons system. In carrying out the foregoing responsibilities as well as his additional North Atlantic Treaty Organization duties as Commander Submarine Allied Command Atlantic and as Commander Submarines Western Atlantic Area, he demonstrated the highest degree of judgment and an inspiring devotion to duty. By his valuable and distinguished service, he has contributed greatly to the overall readiness of the United States Atlantic Fleet, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Navy Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Kingfish (SS-234)Action Date:
September 24 – November 14, 1943
Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 01121 (May 11, 1944)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Commander Vernon Long Lowrance (NSN: 0-63108/1100), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy. During the FIFTH War Patrol of the U.S.S. KINGFISH (SS-234) in enemy controlled waters from 24 September to 14 November 1943, Commander Lowrance, as Commanding Officer, skillfully and courageously maneuvered his vessel to strike the enemy, with the result that his ship sank, with torpedo fire, two enemy ships totaling 19,050 tons, and sank one sampan of twenty-five tons, with gunfire. Further, he handled his ship expertly to avoid damage from enemy countermeasures and brought her safely to port. His actions and conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Vice AdmiralAction Date:
November 1966 – October 1969
Board Serial 1310 (September 29, 1969)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Vernon Long Lowrance (NSN: 0-63108/1100), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, from November 1966 through October 1969. During this period, Vice Admiral Lowrance displayed an extremely high degree of leadership and administrative ability in carrying out executive-level management for the planning, organization, and coordination of the operations of the Agency. Through his outstanding professional competence, he made significant contributions to policy formulation and decision-making at the highest level of the United States Government. Through his entire tenure, Vice Admiral Lowrance’s unusual capabilities and astute judgment singled him out as a constant source of advice on all intelligence matters and for assistance and guidance on matters of planning, organization, and administration. His efforts on behalf of the Defense Intelligence Agency, along with his sense of fairness and objectivity, have served to inspire others and have set the course for intelligence processing for many years to come. By his exceptional accomplishments and inspiring devotion to duty, Vice Admiral Lowrance rendered service of inestimable value to the Intelligence Community, to the Department of Defense, and to the Nation as a whole, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Kingfish (SS-234)Action Date:
November 25, 1942 – January 23, 1943
Pacific Fleet Board Awards: Serial 32 (1943)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Vernon Long Lowrance (NSN: 0-63108/1100), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. KINGFISH (SS-234), during action against enemy Japanese forces on the SECOND War Patrol of that submarine in enemy-controlled waters, from 25 November 1942 to 23 January 1943. Striking relentlessly at hostile vessels and successfully evading strong counter measures, Lieutenant Commander Lowrance, with unfaltering determination to maintain the initiative, courageously and skillfully directed his men in actions which resulted in the destruction of 14,045 tons of shipping. His inspiring leadership and superb seamanship were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Kingfish (SS-234)Action Date:
February 16 – April 9, 1943
Board Awards: Serial 36 (July 8, 1943)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Vernon Long Lowrance (NSN: 0-63108/1100), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. KINGFISH (SS-234), during action against enemy Japanese forces on the THIRD War Patrol of that submarine in enemy-controlled waters, from 16 February to 9 April 1943. Taking full advantage of every favorable attack opportunity, Lieutenant Commander Lowrance, with courageous skill and efficiency, succeeded in sinking an important amount of Japanese shipping. Despite vigorous anti-submarine measures on the part of the enemy, he managed, by expert maneuvering, to bring his ship through a hazardous period without disabling damage. His superb seamanship and conscientious devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
U.S.S. Kingfish (SS-234)Action Date:
September 9 – November 3, 1942
Board Serial 27 (February 12, 1943)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Vernon Long Lowrance (NSN: 0-63108/1100), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. KINGFISH (SS-234), during the highly successful and aggressive FIRST War Patrol of that submarine in enemy Japanese-controlled waters during the period from 9 September to 3 November 1942, which resulted in the sinking of 11,958 tons of enemy shipping and the severe damaging of 10,100 tons. The courage and fearless leadership displayed by Lieutenant Commander Lowrance during torpedo and gun attacks and the subsequent severe depth charge attacks by the enemy served to steady and inspire the crew on its first war patrol. His gallant devotion to duty and the high morale of his command reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.