(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Vice Admiral [then Rear Admiral] Robert Carlisle Giffen, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States by his role in the capture of Makin and Kwajalein Atolls during World War II. His singularly distinctive accomplishments and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Robert Carlisle Giffen, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commander of the Covering Group of the Task Force assigned the duty of occupying French Morocco, in November 1942. Rear Admiral Giffen was completely successful in the bold and vigorous tactics employed to protect the other groups of the task force engaged in the assault and landing operations, despite difficult conditions caused by sun glare, smoke screens, and the maneuvers necessitated in avoiding submarine torpedoes. His command assisted substantially in destroying or crippling all hostile surface vessels attempting to sortie from the harbor of Casablanca. Due to the thoroughly planned and perfectly executed operations of this group, opposition from shore batteries and ships within the harbor was effectively neutralized and aerial and submarine attacks were frustrated.