The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral William Davis Irvin (NSN: 0-61179/1100), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander Service Force, United States Pacific fleet, from 2 April 1963 to 20 July 1965. Exercising dynamic leadership and professional competence, Rear Admiral Irvin initiated an Automatic Data Processing System Capability within the Service which has been of vast assistance in the control and distribution of ammunition throughout the Pacific Fleet. Keenly aware of the need for centralization of shore-support facilities in the Western Pacific, he decisively and successfully pursued plans for the reorganization of Naval supply depots, ship repair facilities, ordnance and ammunition magazine facilities, and certain headquarters support activities under the command of Commander Service Force, United States Pacific Fleet, resulting in a markedly improved readiness posture of the logistic support forces. In addition, he was responsible for the planning for the eventual establishment of Naval Support Activity DaNang which occurred on 15 October 1965, and which contributed greatly toward the success of logistic efforts to provide vital supplies and equipment to U.S. Military Forces and Free-World Military Assistance Forces in South Vietnam. Rear Admiral Irvin’s efforts to enhance the operational readiness of his command culminated in an extensive reorganization of the Service Force, entailing the establishment of Service Squadrons FIVE and SEVEN and reinforcing the administrative organization of Service Groups ONE and THREE. His inspirational leadership, highly intelligent planning, and devotion to the fulfillment of his responsibilities, reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.