The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Commander Walter Ellsworth Linaweaver, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Fleet Communication Officer to the Commander in Chief of the United States Asiatic Fleet, during World War II. Meeting the challenge of rapidly changing conditions during the period prior to and following the outbreak of hostilities, Commander Linaweaver exercised profound judgment, tact, and energy in the formulating of effective plans necessary for maintaining reliable communications between the forces afloat and allied commands, as well as with the United States Army. He kept fully operative the communication channels, vital to operations at sea and in the air, despite repeated and relentless enemy air attacks, and difficulties involving inadequate facilities, equipment, and personnel.