Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Vice Admiral Robert Goldthwaite, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in connection with the Naval Leadership Program of the United States Navy while serving as Chief of Naval Air Training from August 1957 to May 1959. Vice Admiral Goldthwaite established a Chief Petty Officer Academy to insure that petty officers in his command have a sound understanding of the moral foundations of leadership, as well as a solid grasp of the up-to-date techniques in both the psychological and managerial aspects of leadership. Vice Admiral Goldthwaite foresaw the potential of this program, recognizing that only with the aid of parallel movements within civilian communities could the Navy hope to obtain the services of men and women of high moral caliber.

Awards Received

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    July 1963 – September 1965
    All Hands (January 1966)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Robert Goldthwaite, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander Fleet Air Jacksonville, from July 1963 to September 1965. Rear Admiral Goldthwaite was responsible for maintaining a high state of combat readiness of aircraft carriers and aviation units. Particularly noteworthy were his efforts to increase the effectiveness of antisubmarine forces assigned, which resulted in the improved capability of these forces to counter any submarine threat. He was also responsible for a quantitative increase in the airborne reconnaissance capabilities of the Navy through his contributions to the successful introduction of the Integrated Operational Intelligence System into reconnaissance squadrons and aircraft carriers.