The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral David Bryan Peterman, United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area and Commander, Defense Force East from May 2006 to July 2008. With superior leadership and insightful strategy, Vice Admiral Peterman deftly managed complex operations in a vast geographical region ranging from the Rocky Mountains through the eastern half of the world to the war zone in the Northern Arabian Gulf. Institutionalizing programs designed to increase homeland security of our Nation, Vice Admiral Peterman clearly defined authorities, roles, and responsibilities for Redeployment Assistance and Inspection Detachments in Iraq and Afghanistan, training of Iraqi military in Um Qsar, air defense of the National Capital Region, and joint maritime homeland security and defense of our Nation with the United States Navy and Canadian naval forces. His national policy expertise and intricate understanding of international relations were crucial in the development and creation of the Department of Defense’s Africa Command, and the North Atlantic Coast Guard Forum. Using his immeasurable experience in Coast Guard missions, through comprehension of organizational mechanics, and considerable foresight for the Coast Guard to become more effective and efficient, Vice Admiral Peterman was a driving force in the design and implementation of the Coast Guard Operations Command and the Deployable Operations Group. These accomplishments are indicative of Vice Admiral Peterman’s commitment to the Coast Guard during 36 years of exemplary service. Vice Admiral Peterman’s leadership, dedication, and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral David Bryan Peterman, United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Border and Transportation Security, and Director, Coastal Security, Homeland Security Council and Office of Homeland Security, Executive Office of the President, The White House, from November 2001 to April 2004. In these roles, Rear Admiral Peterman demonstrated the highest standards of leadership, professionalism, and competence in providing the President, cabinet officials, and senior White House staff with sound counsel during the development of major homeland security policies. Displaying profound intelligence and judgment, he deftly led the federal government’s interagency efforts in developing progressive immigration, transportation security, border security, and national security policies in the post-9/11 era. Specifically, Rear Admiral Peterman served as the principal policy architect of Operation LIBERTY SHIELD, the homeland security complement to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, oversaw the development of a coordinated international approach to addressing the global threat posed by Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), framed bold transportation security policies, and led the transformational efforts of America’s approach to screening people and cargo seeking to enter and depart the United States. His substantial efforts raised America’s security posture to unprecedented levels, and were a significant contribution to the Global War Against Terrorism. Rear Admiral Peterman’s leadership, dedication, and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.