The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit (Army Award) to Commander Michael Joseph Luosey (NSN: 0-72404), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service in Korea during the period 1 March 1951 to 30 June 1951. Commander Luosey, exhibiting outstanding cooperation and initiative, coordinated the Eight Army partisan warfare program with Naval operations of the Republic of Korea Navy. His forceful leadership resulted in the seizing and securing of an off shore island base deep in the hostile rear area for which partisan groups on the mainland were organized and directed. He assisted in the organization of a Marine Raider Company which consolidated and united partisan factions into strong organizations which carried out maximum effective missions of attrition and intelligence. He supervised the extensive transport of supplies and equipment to remote island areas to support guerrilla warfare. His coordination of activities of partisan operations with the Blockade Fleet contributed in a high degree to successful attrition actions against hostile personnel and materiel thereby assisting in the containment of large enemy forces in areas remote from the battlefield. The outstanding service of Commander Luosey reflects great credit on himself and the United States Navy.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CommanderAction Date:
September 12, 1950 – March 3, 1952
Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 577 (March 7, 1952)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Commander Michael Joseph Luosey (NSN: 0-72404), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding duties to the Government of the United States, as Commander Fleet Activities, Pusan, Korea, as Commander Republic of Korea Naval Forces, and as Senior Naval Advisor to the Republic of Korea Navy from 12 September 1950 to 3 March 1952. By his efficient and outstanding management of the port of Pusan, Korea, while acting as Commander Fleet Activities, Commander Luosey, with the limited resources at his disposal, furnished early, and emergency assistance to the United States Army and Republic of Korea in the initial and very critical phases of the war. By his skillful direction of the fledgling Republic of Korea Navy and Marine Forces, Commander Luosey, as Commander Republic of Korea Naval Forces, brought these forces to a point where they were able to make a substantial contribution to the defense of their country, and to the common struggle against Communism. In his conspicuous position representing the United States Navy in a foreign land, and leading officers and men, some of whom had had other naval training, and were in a position to be critically observant followers, he set the highest of examples, bringing great credit to himself and the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Captain [then Commander]Action Date:
November 3, 1950 – June 1952
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Captain [then Commander] Michael Joseph Luosey (NSN: 0-72404), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander Fleet Activities, Pusan, from 3 November to 31 December 1950; and as Commander of all Republic of Korea Naval Forces assigned to the United Nations Blockading and Escort Force (Commander Task Group NINETY-FIVE POINT SEVEN), from 3 November 1950 to June 1952, during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea. With Pusan the only base in Korea for logistic support of naval units and the sole port of entry for the ever-increasing supply of all troops, munitions and equipment, Captain Luosey was eminently successful in establishing and operating Fleet Activities and met all requests for assistance with marked efficiency, sound judgment and resourceful ingenuity. As the first United States Navy representative in Korea during the critical period when all friendly forces were being slowly forced southward to the alarmingly short perimeter around Pusan, he labored untiringly to sustain liaison with top military commanders on questions of immediate and far reaching importance which were contributing factors in maintaining the security of this vital port. Charged with the responsibility for the operation, training and administration of all Republic of Korea naval units over a period of almost two years, Captain Luosey instilled a high degree of esprit de corps and fighting spirit in the personnel under his command and ably welded these forces into effective combat groups which later achieved major successes in blockading, minesweeping and patrol activities. His inspiring leadership, outstanding professional skill and steadfast devotion to duty throughout reflect the highest credit upon Captain Luosey and the United States Naval Service.