Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Mr. Richard H. Shriver, a United States Civilian, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States and to the Department of Defense from 9 February 1976 to January 1977. As the Director, Telecommunications and Command and Control Systems, he displayed outstanding leadership in guiding and directing the efforts of key personnel and organizational elements to provide economical and operationally effective communications and command and control systems for use by the National Command Authorities and the Department of Defense. With exceptional insight and sound judgment, he applied his broad experience to initiate significant and enduring changes in the management of such vital areas as communications satellites and tactical communications systems. He was personally instrumental in the initiation of an advanced education program for military officers which will provide the technical and managerial skills required of future leaders in joint communications and command and control assignments. For these and his many other outstanding accomplishments, I take great pleasure in awarding Richard H. Shriver the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.