The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Vice Admiral Noel Arthur Meredyth Gayler (NSN: 0-74858), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Director, Strategic Target Planning, from September 1967 to July 1969. In this important assignment Vice Admiral Gayler was highly effective in giving direction to policies established by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director, Strategic Target Planning governing the development and maintenance of the JCS Single Integrated Operational Plans (SIOP) and the Coordinated Reconnaissance Plan (CRP). Bringing to bear an extraordinary degree of military professionalism and intellectual force, he was responsible for significant improvements in intelligence evaluating procedures, the application of science and technology to the planning process, operational concepts reflected in the plan and the capability of the staff to perform plan analyses on a more timely basis. Through his exceptional performance of duty, characterized by initiative, ingenuity, and dynamic leadership, Vice Admiral Gayler made major material contributions significantly improving the status of strategic nuclear planning and maximizing the deterrent posture of the United States forces committed to the Joint Chiefs of Staff Single Integrated Operational Plan. By his selfless devotion to duty, Vice Admiral Gayler rendered valuable and distinguished service and contributed greatly to the security of the United States and the Free World, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself, the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff and the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Noel Arthur Meredyth Gayler (NSN: 0-74858), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from September 1963 to September 1967 as Director, Development Programs Division and Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Development). Exercising keen leadership and sound judgment, Rear Admiral Gayler applied his vast experience in all aspects of Naval warfare and his sound technical ability to shaping and directing the Navy’s research and development effort. He not only contributed greatly to the readiness of Naval forces to meet the changing demands of the war in Southeast Asia, but also assured the continuing readiness of the Navy to meet with other contingencies elsewhere. By incisive analysis, and with professional open-mindedness, he has guided the Navy toward the most promising direction for productive improvement, especially in the areas of electromagnetic security and tactical aircraft systems. Due to his personal initiative, a spirit of cooperation between the Navy and other Services and agencies of the Department of Defense has been fostered and has resulted in important technological advances which would not otherwise have been possible. In addition to his normal duties, Rear Admiral Gayler has performed exceptionally well as Acting Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Development) on many occasions. His outstanding leadership, superb judgment and inspiring devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.