Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Paul Alexander Yost, Jr., United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from May 1986 to May 1990. In this highly sensitive and demanding position, he contributed directly to the Defense Department’s active participation in the Nation’s “War on Drugs.” Working closely with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he provided Coast Guard flag officers to command anti-drug Joint Task Forces, deployed Coast Guard personnel aboard Navy ships, and expanded the Coast Guard’s drug interdiction efforts to counter aerial smuggling. In the vanguard of the “War on Drugs,” his leadership and strategic vision facilitated the Defense Department’s transition to this new mission. Concurrent with his counter-narcotics success, Admiral Yost reaffirmed the importance of the Coast Guard’s role in national defense. He committed forces for joint military exercises, supported the Maritime Defense Zones, and updated his fleet with the addition of sophisticated, fast patrol boats and the modernization of his capital ships with contemporary weapon systems, bringing the Coast Guard into the “missile age.” Admiral Yost has earned the respect and admiration of the Department of Defense and the Nation. His leadership, devotion to duty, and contributions as a key figure in the “War on Drugs” will yield benefits for many years to come. The distinctive accomplishments of Admiral Yost culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Coast Guard, and the Department of Defense.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
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Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Coast GuardRank:
CommanderDivision:
Patrol Craft Fast 31 (PCF-31)Action Date:
April 12, 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Paul Alexander Yost, Jr., United States Coast Guard, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with naval forces engaged in armed conflict with the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Communist aggressors in the Republic of Vietnam. On 12 April 1969, Commander Yost was Officer in Tactical Command of a PCF (Patrol Craft Fast), UDT and Vietnamese Marine Corps movement unit into the Duong Keo River in An Kuyen Province as part of Operation SILVER MACE II. The five boats inserted their embarked troops at the mouth of the river and commenced a sweep up the river while the remaining eight boats proceeded up river to insert their embarked troops at a point several kilometers north of the first troop insertion. Commander Yost was embarked in PCF 31 in the second group of boats. As the PCF’s were proceeding up river in a column formation, they encountered an enemy ambush. The enemy forces used claymore mines, recoilless rifles, B40 rockets, 50 caliber machine guns and small arms. The two lead boats took severe damage but all boats returned fire until clear of the ambush area. Upon discovering that PCF 43 had lost control and was aground in the middle of the ambush site, Commander Yost personally returned to rescue the UDT personnel and crew of PCF 43 with two boats while the remaining boats beached out, set a defense perimeter and called in Medevac helicopters. Upon arriving at the point where PCF 43 was aground, Commander Yost discovered the survivors engaged in battle with enemy forces only 20 feet from their positions. In spite of heavy enemy fire, he brought the two rescuing PCF’s to the river bank and brought aboard the survivors and the bodies of the Officer in Charge of PCF 43 and one UDT Chief Petty Officer who had been killed in the action. Upon clearing all personnel from PCF 43, a series of explosions totally destroyed the craft. Commander Yost returned to the area where a perimeter defense had been set up, coordinated a Medevac for the wounded and dead and prepared his forces for the completion of the mission. Commander Yost exhibited tenacious and inspirational leadership. His valiant actions under fire saved the lives of the fifteen USN personnel rescued from PCF 43 and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Paul Alexander Yost, Jr., United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from May 1986 to May 1990. Admiral Yost’s dynamic leadership and clear understanding of national priorities brought the Coast Guard to a position of prominence in several areas of great national concern. Under his guidance, through interagency agreements, new procurements, upgraded training and relocation of aircraft and personnel, Coast Guard aviation became a major part of America’s war on drugs. At the same time, seaborne movement of drug traffic was greatly reduced due, in large part, to Admiral Yost’s personal involvement in introducing effective command, control, communications and intelligence into the drug war. In representing the President at the cleanup site of the worst oil spill in U.S. history, Admiral Yost skillfully coordinated the efforts of many diverse federal, state and private entities to produce an effective cleanup, and clearly explained the operation to affected communities, legislators and the American public. He was equally proactive in directing the Coast Guard’s protective assistance and humanitarian support to victims of Hurricane Hugo. Admiral Yost strongly reaffirmed the Coast Guard’s national security role through his leadership and close cooperation with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Despite these increased levels of effort, Admiral Yost clarified to the Service the importance of its core safety-of-life missions and ensured that professionalism and dedication were retained. Throughout his tour as Commandant, Admiral Yost realigned and continually reassessed the Service’s logistics structure to increase operational effectiveness and to better position the Coast Guard for the future. Admiral Yost’s leadership, dedication and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Untied States Coast Guard.
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Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Admiral Paul Alexander Yost, Jr., United States Coast Guard, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Admiral Yost and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Commander Paul Alexander Yost, Jr., United States Coast Guard, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.
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Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Admiral Paul Alexander Yost, Jr., United States Coast Guard, was awarded the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Admiral Yost and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Coast Guard.