The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Lorenzo Sherwood Sabin (NSN: 0-57170), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, while serving as Commanding Officer Task Force NINETY during Operation PASSAGE TO FREEDOM from 8 August 1954 to 11 April 1955. Rear Admiral Sabin displayed an outstanding degree of initiative, courage, and professional skill in handling the many problems involved in logistic support of his ships in a remote area, as well as the many problems of the refugees in embarkation and debarkation, berthing and feeding, disease control, births and deaths, religion, and of language barrier involved in the mass evacuation of over 260,000 displaced Vietnamese persons. His personal leadership and humanitarian understanding were an inspiration to his subordinates who carried out their duties with great compassion toward the displaced humanity assigned to their care. Rear Admiral Sabin brilliantly and aggressively directed the amphibious forces under his command with the result that in addition to the large number of refugees handled, over 7,600 vehicles and 66,000 tons of cargo were lifted in an expeditious manner with a minimum loss of time to the ships involved. Rear Admiral Sabin’s actions throughout have demonstrated his unquestionable professional ability and reflect the utmost credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Rear AdmiralAction Date:
November 29, 1952 – November 6, 1953
Department of the Army, General Orders No. 3 (January 20, 1954)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Lorenzo Sherwood Sabin (NSN: 0-57170), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Assistant Chief of Staff, J-4, Headquarters, Far East and United Nations Commands, from 29 November 1952 to 6 November 1953. Displaying astute judgment and a comprehensive knowledge of logistics, he played a prominent role in the formulation of policies and procedures which contributed immeasurably to the successful prosecution of the campaign in Korea. Aware of the quantitative limitations of docks, warehousing, and shipping facilities in Korea, he immediately instituted and aggressively implemented an intensive program designed to increase port and transportation capabilities and demanding maximum inter-service unit of effort. As a result of his efforts, the flow of essential supplies, into and within Korea, was expanded to an unprecedented degree, expediting the deliver of vital strategic material to tactical units. This program resulted in substantial savings to the United States Government of funds, manpower, and ships. Although designed primarily for combat support, this expansion of logistical capacity in proving of immeasurable value in the movement of vast amounts of rehabilitation supplies for the economic recovery of war devastated areas. He initiated and superintended comprehensive studies and analyses of the industrial potential of Japan with a view toward augmenting the local production of military material for use in the Korean conflict and to serve as a planning basis for world wide mobilization. His unremitting efforts facilitated establishment of a practical program which aided in the strengthening of Japanese economy while alleviating a costly drain on American resources. His analytical judgment, his foresight and accurate planning ability, and his inherent grasp of a logistical operation of gigantic scope and complexity, contributed significantly to the United Nations’ efforts toward international peace. Admiral Sabin’s outstanding achievements, professional competence, and devotion to duty, reflect the greatest credit upon himself and conform to the highest traditions of the military service.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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 Vice Admiral Lorenzo Sherwood Sabin (NSN: 0-57170), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commandant, Potomac River Naval Command and as Superintendent, Naval Gun Factory, Washington, D.C., from April 1955 to April 1956. His distinguished achievements reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Services.
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Legion of Merit
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 Captain Lorenzo Sherwood Sabin (NSN: 0-57170), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Gunfire Support Craft during the amphibious attack on the Coast of France, 6 June 1944. Charged with organizing and training the Gunfire Support, Eleventh Amphibious Force, Captain Sabin carried out these vital tasks with marked efficiency and leading a convoy of over two hundred and fifty small craft to the Normandy Coast during the assault under severe enemy fire, placed them at their proper stations. Later, without previous notice, he skillfully directed the unloading of all ships and craft in an assigned area and was responsible for the expeditious establishment of a Naval Base on the French Coast. By his brilliant leadership, sound judgment and great personal valor, Captain Sabin contributed materially to the success of our forces during this extremely hazardous period of the invasion.
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Legion of Merit
Serial 03047 (September 4, 1943)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Lorenzo Sherwood Sabin (NSN: 0-57170), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of an Attack Group during the assault on Sicily and as Commander of all Naval Units at Licata during follow-up operations, July 1943. By his brilliant initiative and marked organizational skill, Captain Sabin carried these important activities through to a successful conclusion, placing Army Units embarked in his command on designated beachheads, and subsequently, coordinating the unloading of ships and organizing of convoys expeditiously and with exemplary and inspiring leadership.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Board Serial 93 (February 16, 1961)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Lorenzo Sherwood Sabin (NSN: 0-57170), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Chief of Staff to the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT) from November 1957 to March 1961. An outstanding leader and diplomat, Vice Admiral Sabin exercised marked professional skill and resourcefulness in carrying out his many responsibilities throughout this period. Cognizant of the potential major threat of enemy submarines in the Allied Command Atlantic Area, he sponsored the creation of the Submarine and Antisubmarine Warfare Section within SACLANT. Through his tact and diplomacy in gaining multilateral coopering within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the field of anti-submarine research, a number of organizational problems were solved, thus expediting the activation of the SACLANT Anti-submarine Warfare Research Center, La Spezia, Italy. In the field of military planning, his ability to organize realistic exercises, and to interpret and adapt the knowledge gained there from, has led to constant improvement of operational plans, and has furthered the overall combat readiness of NATO naval forces. Fully utilizing his wide and diversified professional background in furthering SACLANT-NATO public relations, Vice Admiral Sabin, by his strong leadership and dedication to the principles of peace through strength and international cooperation, has made a vital contribution to the solidarity of the NATO and to the security of the United States. His distinguished achievements reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Services.