The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral David Bryan Peterman, United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Border and Transportation Security, and Director, Coastal Security, Homeland Security Council and Office of Homeland Security, Executive Office of the President, The White House, from November 2001 to April 2004. In these roles, Rear Admiral Peterman demonstrated the highest standards of leadership, professionalism, and competence in providing the President, cabinet officials, and senior White House staff with sound counsel during the development of major homeland security policies. Displaying profound intelligence and judgment, he deftly led the federal government’s interagency efforts in developing progressive immigration, transportation security, border security, and national security policies in the post-9/11 era. Specifically, Rear Admiral Peterman served as the principal policy architect of Operation LIBERTY SHIELD, the homeland security complement to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, oversaw the development of a coordinated international approach to addressing the global threat posed by Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), framed bold transportation security policies, and led the transformational efforts of America’s approach to screening people and cargo seeking to enter and depart the United States. His substantial efforts raised America’s security posture to unprecedented levels, and were a significant contribution to the Global War Against Terrorism. Rear Admiral Peterman’s leadership, dedication, and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.