The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Calvin Matthews Bolster, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Head of the Ships Installations Branch of the Engineering Division, Bureau of Aeronautics, from May 1940 to October 1945. Envisioning the combat potentialities of rockets and jet propulsion prior to the war when technical applications were generally considered remote, he initiated the Navy Jet Assisted Take-Off program which subsequently proved vitally important to fleet operations. With extraordinary foresight, brilliant technical skill and vigorous leadership, he personally directed the JATO program from its inception to its successful completion. In addition, he made other vital contribution to the effectiveness of fleet operations by insuring that naval vessels were provided with unexcelled equipment to facilitate the operation or tending of aircraft. Displaying deep concern for the expeditious programs arranged for thorough testing, schedule procurements to keep pace with fast-expanding fleet requirements, and were responsible for establishment of a successful training program. Maintaining close liaison with the Chief of Naval Operations, Bureau of Ships, aircraft design branches and carrier personnel, he sought constantly to improve the design of both carriers and aircraft to meet the requirements of changing tactical procedures. His thorough comprehension of fleet requirements, assiduous efforts, and steadfast devotion to duty were responsible to a great degree for the operating perfection of carrier aviation and reflect 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
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear AdmiralAction Date:
August 1, 1951 – December 30, 1953
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 Calvin Matthews Bolster, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Naval Research from 1 August 1951 to 30 December 1953. Exercising exceptional judgment and keen foresight, Rear Admiral Bolster greatly accelerated the application of conclusions of the Naval Research program to the operational planning of the Navy and established a firm basis for cooperation with the Army and Air Force in areas of overlapping interests, particularly in dealing with complex research and development problems associated with warfare areas and in utilizing universities to aid in the solution of these problems. Among a number of particularly important projects which have been conducted under his imaginative and intelligent guidance, a unique system of vast significance in the field of anti-submarine warfare has been established, the potentialities of which are so great that the primary naval mission of controlling the sea lanes in a future war might well be determined by it. In reviewing the Navy’s Air-to-Air Guided Missile program, Rear Admiral Bolster supervised the compilation of a detailed report which resulted in a greatly improved program, reduced expenditures, and a request that the Office of Naval Research conduct a complete study of the future employment of guided missiles in fleet air defense. Through his able leadership, he was greatly instrumental in improving and increasing the coordination of the entire research and development program of the Navy Department, thereby contributing materially to the success of the overall national effort. His outstanding professional skill, forceful initiative and conscientious devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Rear Admiral Bolster and the United States Naval Service.