The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Bernard Ambrose Clarey (NSN: 0-73553/1100), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy and Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet, from June 1964 to August 1966. Foreseeing with remarkable accuracy the scope and prolonged nature of the military involvement of the United States in Southeast Asia, Vice Admiral Clarey exercised the broad authority delegated to him in order to prepare the U.S. Pacific Fleet for combat operations in remote areas on a sustained bases, and to provide the means for precise control over, and adequate support for, the forces of the United States Navy and Marine Corps committed to those operations. Through his penetrating analyses of the military situation in Vietnam, he revealed new ways to exploit the inherent flexibility of naval forces in the conflict. As a result, the U.S. Naval Service has assumed a dominant role in the U.S. military effort in Southeast Asia. Under his brilliant direction, wise counsel, and inspiring leadership, the staff and subordinate commanders of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, responded to the requirements of ever situation with flawless precision and perfect timing. Vice Admiral Clarey has contributed greatly to the advancement of U.S. Naval and joint military operations in the Western Pacific, to the fulfillment of the mission of the Pacific Command, and to the promotion of national objectives of the United States in Southeast Asia. His performance of duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Bernard Ambrose Clarey (NSN: 0-73553/1100), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander SECOND Fleet from 22 August 1966 to 19 May 1967. During this period of continued tension and crisis, Vice Admiral Clarey demonstrated outstanding leadership, operational planning ability, and sound judgment in achieving an effective balance between conflicting requirements of exercising the fleet at sea for operational training, and scheduling maximum time in port for maintenance and morale purposes. Among his many achievements, he planned and successfully conducted Exercise LANTFLEX 66, which achieved new heights of readiness in many facets of naval warfare; served as Commander Striking Fleet Atlantic and, as such, participated in many high-level NATO planning conferences; served as Commander Joint Task Force 122, in which capacity he commanded Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps forces in Exercise CLOVE HITCH III, the largest joint exercise ever conducted in the Atlantic Command; and participated in and contributed significantly to the success of many United States Atlantic Fleet training exercises, including Operation SPRINGBOARD 67. By his distinctive accomplishments and inspiring devotion to duty, Vice Admiral Clarey rendered valuable and distinguished service, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Gold Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Bernard Ambrose Clarey (NSN: 0-73553/1100), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet, from December 1970 to September 1973. Responsible for the conduct of naval warfare in support of land operations in the Republic of Vietnam, Admiral Clarey initiated plans and actions which significantly affected the outcome of the conflict in Southeast Asia and the configuration of the Pacific Fleet in the years ahead. With the massive invasion of South Vietnam by North Vietnamese forces in April 1972, Pacific Fleet operations, carried out under the direction of Admiral Clarey, all but destroyed the industrial capacity of North Vietnam and virtually halted the waterborne flow of war materials into that country. The continuing readiness of the Pacific Fleet to react rapidly and precisely to shifting combat and post cease-fire situations and contingencies attest to Admiral Clarey’s brilliant leadership, administrative expertise, and keen foresight. By his distinguished service throughout this period, Admiral Clarey contributed greatly to the success of United States efforts in Southeast Asia, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Bernard Ambrose Clarey (NSN: 0-73553/1100), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Vice Chief of Naval Operations from July 1970 through October 1970. During the transition period accompanying the change of command of the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Clarey served as the vital catalyst in maintaining the smooth and effective functioning of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. He utilized his wealth of experience and knowledge to assist the Chief of Naval Operations in his assumption of the myriad diverse and complex tasks and responsibilities of that office. While maintaining his superior performance level as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Clarey has been most responsive to the problems confronting, as well as the inquiries initiated by, the Chief of Naval Operations. Admiral Clarey’s wise counsel was of immeasurable benefit as he provided advice and support during the intensive examination of the budget and force level requirements as well as personnel retention efforts throughout the Navy. As a highly respected alternate member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Clarey has provided astute and timely recommendations to the Chief of Naval Operations on matters of the greatest importance to the United States of America. Utilizing his profound grasp of global strategy, Admiral Clarey repeatedly demonstrated an inestimable capability for providing precise assessments of U.S. Military requirements and advisable courses of action in the fulfillment of national policy. This loyal support assisted the Chief of Naval Operations in supplying the most accurate, timely and vital information available to the Joint Chiefs of Staff during a period of serious international tension. Admiral Clarey has rendered invaluable service to the Naval Establishment through his selfless and untiring devotion to duty. He has repeatedly demonstrated an unparalleled ability to effectively employ his vast wealth of knowledge and experience to the benefit of every ship and man in the Navy. Admiral Clarey’s resolute dedication and distinguished achievements reflected only the greatest credit upon himself and were truly in the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Bernard Ambrose Clarey (NSN: 0-73553/1100), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations from January 1968 to July 1970. Possessed of a profound grasp of global strategy, Admiral Clarey demonstrated an inestimable capability for timely and accurate assessment of U.S. Naval requirements and recommended courses of action in the fulfillment of national policy. In the absence of the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Clarey contributed directly as a highly respected alternate member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in deliberations involving the vital interests and security of the United States. Keenly aware of the increased managerial and communications requirements created by rapid increases in technology, Admiral Clarey has been instrumental in the highly successful implementation of the unilinear functional alignment of the Navy Department, thereby ensuring departmental management attuned to management methodology used throughout the Department of Defense. Admiral Clarey has reflected his continuing concern over the operating environment of the forces afloat through the implementation of detailed habitability and environmental control standards, thereby increasing significantly overall effectiveness and morale. The far-reaching effects of this program are currently reflected in ship modification and new construction programs. With highly respected technical competence and professional acumen, Admiral Clarey established and maintained an effective rapport with the organizations within the Department of Defense, and with the industrial and scientific communities in the conduct of naval affairs. His inspirational leadership, resolute dedication and distinguished achievements reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.