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 Captain Steven N. Anastasion (NSN: 0-165531), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, Naval Weapons Laboratory, Dahlgren, Virginia, from July 1969 through January 1972. An outstandingly resourceful and inspiring leader, Captain Anastasion has been responsible for the diverse technical advanced made by one of the Navy’s major research, development, test, and evaluation laboratories. He ably applied his extensive professional and technical knowledge and outstanding grasp of the overall needs and requirements of the Navy to provide direction, counsel, and advice on current programs and to encourage and guide exploration into new areas of research of potential benefit to the Navy. Under Captain Anastasion’s leadership, the Naval Weapons Laboratory has grown steadily in program, in responsibilities, and in reputation. Captain Anastasion’s technical and managerial competence and his keen perception of the operation of a laboratory have produced a stimulating environment of successful and creative work. By his distinguished achievements and exemplary performance of duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and the Naval Weapons Laboratory, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Steven N. Anastasion (NSN: 0-165531), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Director, Special Studies and Objectives Division, Office of Program Appraisal, from March 1967 to July 1969. Drawing on an unusual background of experience and knowledge in the fields of management, weapon system development, and systems analysis, Captain Anastasion has assisted the Secretary of the Navy, through the Director of the Office of Program Appraisal, in formulating Navy Department programs leading to the acquisition of effective, ready, and efficient naval forces and systems. Throughout his tenure, Captain Anastasion has demonstrated sound judgment and creative ability in preparing, or supervising the preparation of, cogent, forceful documents and policy papers required by the Secretary of the navy in presenting his view to the Secretary of Defense and to the Congress. His perceptive and informed insight, objective analysis, and lucid presentations at the highest levels have contributed significantly to the overall readiness and capabilities of our naval forces. By providing incisive and carefully-reasoned arguments in the preparation of the Navy responses to Draft Presidential Memoranda, Captain Anastasion has influenced decisions at the highest Defense Department levels on elements of the Five-Year Defense Plan. His forceful leadership, excellent judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty throughout his honorable and dedicated service to the Navy and the Nation reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.