The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Ralph Kirk James, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Chief, Bureau of Ships, and Coordinator of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair for the Department of Defense from April 1959 through April 1963. Exercising remarkable foresight and professional abilities of the highest order, Rear Admiral James had had a direct and substantial influence in the success of the U.S. Navy in achieving its preeminent position of unprecedented technological superiority and superb material readiness. The Fleet’s strike capabilities have been revolutionized by the expeditious completion in ever-increasing numbers of new missile-armed surface ships, aircraft carriers, POLARIS submarines and nuclear-powered ships.