The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Marc Andrew Mitscher (NSN: 0-7951), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, . During the period 1 April 1943 to 25 July 1943, Rear Admiral Mitscher served as Commander Air, Solomon Islands. His command consisted of units of the Army Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps aviation units, and contingents of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. He forged these diversified air units into a homogeneous, effective, combat team and by his superb leadership inflicted defeat after defeat upon the enemy. By his inspiring tenacity of purpose, keen judgment and indomitable courage, he imbued his whole command with spirit of the offensive and employed his forces in such manner as to inflict tremendous losses upon the enemy, destroying more than five hundred enemy airplanes and sinking more than twenty vessels. He set an example of courageous and aggressive leadership, in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Marc Andrew Mitscher (NSN: 0-7951), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. During the operation to seize the Marshall Islands in January – February 1944, Rear Admiral Mitscher commanded the Carrier Force of the Central Pacific Force which obtained and maintained control of the air throughout the area. He directed vigorous attacks on the objectives of the landing forces and on enemy bases within supporting distance thereof and thus contributed directly to the seizure of the objectives by enemy aircraft. He skillfully commanded the Carrier Force of the Central Pacific Force in the subsequent raid on Truk and directed the carrier based air attacks on the objective on 16 – 17 February 1944. On 22 February 1944, he led a carrier Task Force in an attack against Tinian-Saipan, and pressed home vigorous air attacks on those enemy bases, although attacked throughout the night of the approach and during the day of the attack by enemy torpedo planes and bombers. His determination, his skillful and aggressive leadership, and his bold decisions made possible the success of these operations against the enemy which inflicted heavy material damage on the enemy and injured the morale and prestige of his government without serious loss to ourselves. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Marc Andrew Mitscher (NSN: 0-7951), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. As Commander Fast Carrier Task Forces, Pacific, he led his forces in daring and well coordinated attacks on Japanese bases in the Central and Western Pacific. On 29 – 30 March and 1 April 1944, he led his task force deep into waters previously controlled by the enemy, and caused extensive damage to enemy forces and installations at Palau, Yap and Woleai. On 20 and 21 April 1944, his force operated in direct support of the amphibious landing at Hollandia, New Guinea, and effectively maintained control of the air in the area of operations. On 29 – 30 April and 1 May 1944, his forces executed a bold attack on Truk, Satawan and Ponape, causing extensive damage to those bases. During the operation to capture the Mariana Islands, from 11 June to 27 August 1944, forces under his command prepared the way for the invasion forces by bombing and strafing the attack force objectives in the Mariana Islands and other enemy bases within supporting distance thereof. When the landing on Saipan, still in its early stages, was threatened by a sortie of Japanese Fleet, Vice Admiral Mitscher with bold courage and determination led Task Force 58 to a brilliant victory in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. His immediate decision to attack when the enemy fleet was sighted at maximum range on the afternoon of 20 June and the speed with which his attack units were in the air and en route to the objective were vital factors in the damaging effectiveness of the strike which followed. Subsequent raids on enemy bases in the Marianas and on Palau, Uap, Ulithi and the Bonin and Volcano Islands prevented effective interference by enemy forces with our operations in the Marianas, and thus contributed directly to the capture of Saipan, Guam, Tinian and the extension westward of United States control in the Central Pacific. His daring, aggressiveness and courageous leadership, his determination and personal courage throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.