The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Edward Samuel Briggs (NSN: 0-521281), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as a Senior Advisor and Staff Officer to Commander Task Force SEVENTY-EIGHT during critical negotiations with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam from 4 February to 10 March 1973. Captain Briggs consistently demonstrated an extraordinary ability to formulate goals, to plan for their achievement, to organize human and material resources, and to weave these elements into tangible accomplishment. Virtually unassisted, he personally planned and directed final assembly, organization, and sailing of Task Force SEVENTY-EIGHT, deployment of the precursor countermeasure forces into Haiphong, and final commitment of the Main Force. These complexly interrelated actions were carefully coordinated with the pace of negotiations and with the policy guidance received from the Joint Chiefs of Staff and from the Commander in Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet. Through his exceptional capacity for creative work, Captain Briggs brilliantly supported highly complex and delicate negotiations for inception of mine countermeasure operations which were directly and inextricably associated with successful achievement of the release of United States prisoners of war and withdrawal of United States forces from South Vietnam. Captain Briggs’ resourcefulness and outstanding performance of duty while serving in a position of great responsibility reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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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:
Vice AdmiralAction Date:
September 1980 – September 1982
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Legion of Merit to Vice Admiral Edward Samuel Briggs (NSN: 0-521281), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet from September 1980 through September 1982. Vice Admiral Briggs’ exemplary professionalism, absolute dedication, foresight, and unerring judgment enabled him to adroitly manage the activities of the Staff of the Commander in Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet. He played an instrumental role in improving Pacific Fleet warfighting ability through a comprehensive and exhaustive effort to develop awareness of readiness trends and indicators at all levels of command. Vice Admiral Briggs’ in-depth understanding of domestic, international, and military issues was invaluable in improving virtually every aspect of Pacific Fleet operations at sea and ashore. By his unrelenting professionalism, astuteness, and unflagging devotion to duty, Vice Admiral Briggs reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainAction Date:
August 22, 1972 – October 26, 1973
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 with Combat “V” to Captain Edward Samuel Briggs (NSN: 0-521281), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during combat operations as Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and later as Chief of Staff for Commander SEVENTH Fleet from 22 August 1972 to 26 October 1973. Captain Briggs consistently demonstrated foresight, expert managerial ability and positive leadership in the performance of his myriad responsibilities, always demonstrating the highest degree of personal loyalty in carrying out the policies of Commander SEVENTH Fleet. His expertise and experience enabled him to be of immeasurable assistance both during combat operations in Southeast Asia and during the post hostilities era. He expertly provided plans and recommendations concerning force levels, special operations in the Southeast Asia Theater, air strikes in North and South Vietnam, and the continued mining of strategic waterways of North Vietnam. His tenure as Chief of Staff was during a period of great change for both the Staff and the fleet as a whole. He provided valuable continuity and superb guidance through a time of major rotation in key staff personnel. Through his leadership the triennial Command Inspection of Staff, Commander SEVENTH Fleet results were highly successful and praiseworthy. As fleet operations were undergoing a fundamental re-orientation, his depth of experience proved invaluable in the smooth implementation of SEVENTH Fleet’s peacetime contingency plans. Captain Briggs’ outstanding professionalism, personal devotion to duty and positive leadership reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Briggs is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear AdmiralAction Date:
July 1979 – August 1980
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Edward Samuel Briggs (NSN: 0-521281), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Naval Logistics Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet, as Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and as Commander Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, from July 1979 to August 1980. Responsible for all logistical support to the Pacific Fleet during this period of significantly increased fleet operations, Rear Admiral Briggs provided the strong personal leadership and sound guidance needed to ensure that the highest levels of readiness were realized, both ashore and afloat., throughout the Pacific and Indian Ocean areas. His consistently superior efforts, sound and decisive judgment, and exceptional foresight ensured that Pacific Fleet Logistic support requirements were met in a timely and responsive manner. Rear Admiral Briggs’ genuine concern strongly influenced the quality of Navy life throughout the Pacific Navy community. His professional competence, vitality, and determination of purpose inspired this same performance in subordinates and contributed immeasurably to the readiness of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Rear Admiral Briggs’ inspirational leadership, perseverance, and steadfast devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Edward Samuel Briggs (NSN: 0-521281), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, Navy Recruiting Command from March 1977 to July 1979. Rear Admiral Briggs consistently demonstrated precise planning, decisive execution, and innovative leadership which was instrumental in achieving significant improvements in production of both officer and enlisted quality accessions for the United States Navy. His mature, stable influence and singular commitment to professionalism were directly responsible for the Navy Recruiting Command’s ability to compete successfully in the All-Volunteer Force environment, an immensely important and complex undertaking of critical concern to the United States Navy. Rear Admiral Briggs gave unstintingly of his time and energy in an assignment that demanded the utmost in versatility, tact, and perseverance. By his dynamic leadership, perceptive judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty, Rear Admiral Briggs reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Vice AdmiralAction Date:
October 1982 – September 1984
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Edward Samuel Briggs (NSN: 0-521281), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet from October 1982 through September 1984. Vice Admiral Briggs’ inspiring leadership; exceptional management, and strong dedication to excellence contributed directly to the highly successful mission accomplishment of this major type command. His skillful coordination and guidance across the broad spectrum of Atlantic Fleet Surface Warfare efforts resulted in unparalleled effectiveness in the areas of operational readiness, material condition improvements, personnel readiness, and training. Vice Admiral Briggs’ contributions, both singular and cumulative, significantly increased the warfighting readiness of the Surface Force Atlantic. By his distinctive accomplishments, unrelenting perseverance, and impressive devotion to duty, Vice Admiral Briggs reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.