The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Forrest Percival Sherman (NSN: 0-17070), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, from 10 November 1943 to 2 September 1945. During this period he displayed outstanding professional ability, sound judgment and an unusual knowledge of the details of military and naval operations in the discharge of his responsibility of United States Forces in action against the enemy in the Pacific, including those resulting in the capture of the Gilberts, Marshalls, Marianas, Western Carolines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa; the Fleet operations in support of the capture of Hollandia and Morotai, the Philippines Campaign, the final attacks on Japan; and also the naval phase of the occupation of Japan. As Head of the War Plans Division on the Staff, Rear Admiral Sherman contributed most effectively to the successful prosecution of the war in the Pacific, and his services were of vital importance in forcing the enemy to surrender. His energetic initiative and devotion to duty were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.