The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Draper Laurence Kauffman (NSN: 0-117673/110), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Philippines; and Commander in Chief Pacific Representative, Philippines, from July 1968 to May 1970. Exercising outstanding professional skill and sound judgment, Rear Admiral Kauffman was eminently successful in carrying out his responsibilities throughout this period. Among Rear Admiral Kauffman’s notable achievements and participative efforts were his personal direction of a study group which effected a clarification of orders for sentries in the use of fire weapons following a shooting incident at Naval Station, Sangley Point, on 26 July 1968; the rescue of survivors and restoration of the disaster area to normal conditions in connection with the earthquake in Manila on 2 August 1968; the receipt by his command of the Navy Achievement Award for outstanding support of the Navy’s Cost Reduction Plan; and the effecting of tangible monetary savings in regard to increases in jet fuel production. Additionally, Rear Admiral Kauffman served on a committee which resolved several major issues that threatened work disruption and violence at Clark Air Base and Subic Naval Base; provided guidance for revision of the Filipino Employment Policy Instructions; participated as Operational Control Authority in the constructive shipping portion of Exercise SEA SPIRIT and in Mutual Defense Board activities; and conducted an aggressive community relations program, thereby contributing immeasurably to the image of the United States. Rear Admiral Kauffman’s distinguished performance of duty reflects great credit upon himself and 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 Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Draper Laurence Kauffman (NSN: 0-117673/110), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commandant, NINTH Naval District/Commander Naval Base, Great Lakes, from June 1970 to May 1973. Rear Admiral Kauffman’s dedicated and highly competent administration of the Naval Reserve and recruiting programs throughout the thirteen-state NINTH Naval District significantly influenced the unqualified success of these efforts. His personal interest and initiative were applied with great skill in upgrading the status of and improving communications with Navy minority members within his district and in establishing an extremely high level of goodwill between the Navy and the civilian community. With the advent of Operation HOMECOMING and the return of former prisoners of war, Rear Admiral Kauffman became deeply involved in the entire scope of repatriation activities in his district. His skill, tact and compassion contributed greatly to the success of this operation. By his outstanding professional competence and inspiring devotion to duty, Rear Admiral Kauffman reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.