The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Donald Gay, Jr. (NSN: 0-78660/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service from August 1964 to October 1966, as Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans, on the staff of the Commander in Chief Pacific. During this period in which the United States was actively engaged in combat operations in support of the Republic of Vietnam, Rear Admiral Gay played a principal role in the development of all contingency plans, nuclear weapons requirements and the Military Assistance Program, contributing directly to the overall readiness and capability of the Pacific Command. He was responsible for and directly supervised the force level and strategic planning generated by the war in Southeast Asia. His foresight and broad perspective were reflected in the development of plans for the execution of rapidly expanding combat operations. Through his understanding of the use of military power, Rear Admiral Gay contributed materially to the achievement of our national objectives in Southeast Asia. By his thorough professional knowledge, sound judgment, organizational ability and loyal devotion to duty, he upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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 Rear Admiral Donald Gay, Jr. (NSN: 0-78660/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service as Commander Fleet Air Wings, U.S. Pacific Fleet/Commander Fleet Air, Moffett, during the period November 1966 through July 1969. An extremely competent and resourceful leader, Rear Admiral Gay exercised keen foresight and imaginative planning in the employment of his assigned forces in support of myriad operational and training tasks in the middle and eastern Pacific Ocean areas, assuring a readiness posture of his forces that most effectively met all contingencies. Largely through his vision and guidance, the three remaining seaplane patrol squadrons in the Navy were phased out two years in advance of the original schedule. The early transition of these squadrons to the more advanced P-3 aircraft greatly increased the capability of Pacific Fleet air-patrol forces, not only in middle and eastern Pacific operations, but in direct support of SEVENTH Fleet operations in the western Pacific area. In addition, Rear Admiral Gay instituted a logistics program for expeditious movement of critical and high-priority aircraft repair parts, and directed the development and promulgation of a patrol squadron tactical reference manual and an aircrewman training syllabus, resulting in a significantly improved readiness posture of deployed squadrons. He also fostered a dynamic program of training and liaison between U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force commands, and encouraged aircrews of Pacific Fleet patrol forces to attend, on a regular basis, the Royal Air Force Anti-submarine Warfare School, Londonderry, Ireland. Rear Admiral Gay’s outstanding leadership, sound judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty have been strong motivating factors in the successes of Pacific Fleet patrol aviation during this period. His exemplary performance of duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.