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James
Laurence
Kauffman
April 18, 1887

–

October 21, 1963

James Kauffman graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1908. His son Rear Admiral Draper Laurence Kauffman, also a Naval Academy Graduate, earned two Navy Crosses in World War II and subsequently served as the Academy’s 44th Superintendent. James Kauffman retires as a U.S. Navy Vice Admiral.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Vice Admiral

    Action Date:

    January 2, 1944 – October 10, 1944
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 350 (May 1946)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Vice Admiral James Laurence Kauffman, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Destroyers and Cruisers Pacific Fleet, from 2 January 1944 to 10 October 1944.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Vice Admiral

    Action Date:

    October 12, 1944 – August 25, 1945
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 350 (May 1946)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral James Laurence Kauffman, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander Philippine Sea Frontier from 12 October 1944 to 25 August 1945. Admiral Kauffman directed the rapidly expanded, vast, complex organization of the Philippine Sea Frontier so that it functioned at peak efficiency from its inception, safely and expeditiously routing and convoying critical men and material to the Philippine Area during the campaign of liberation. By judiciously coordinating his activity with the Australian navy and the U.S. Army, he was able to extract the maximum possible benefit from limited facilities and thus release many needed combatant ships for continued operations against the enemy.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 324 (March 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral James Laurence Kauffman, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commandant of the SEVENTH Naval District and Commander of the Gulf Sea Frontier, during a vitally important period during World War II. Rear Admiral Kauffman displayed the highest qualities of judgment, leadership and initiative which contributed materially in driving enemy submarines from our coastal waters and to the successful operations of the Fleet.

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Jenkins

    Action Date:

    World War I

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander James Laurence Kauffman, United States Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the destroyer U.S.S. Jenkins, engaged in the exacting and hazardous duty of patrolling the waters infested with enemy submarines and mines, and escorting and protecting convoys of troops and supplies.