(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Vice Admiral (SC) Kenneth Raymond Wheeler (NSN: 0-82872), United States Navy, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.

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 Rear Admiral (SC) Kenneth Raymond Wheeler (NSN: 0-82872), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from July 1967 to July 1969 as Assistant Comptroller of the Navy, Financial Management Services. Displaying exceptional professional competence and resourcefulness, Rear Admiral Wheeler was instrumental in the development, test, evaluation, and implementation of several far-reaching financial management systems, including Project PRIME and the Joint Uniform Military Pay System (JUMPS). Both of the foregoing are Defense Department-sponsored projects, and the Navy’s performance under Rear Admiral Wheeler’s direction in implementing them has been aggressive, timely, and effective. In addition, Rear Admiral Wheeler initiated improvements in the financial management and expansion of the Naval Industrial Fund; restructured the organization of the Assistant Comptroller, Financial Management Services, making it more responsive to the needs of the Navy; instituted a Program Management Plan to monitor the execution of major projects; and revitalized the entire financial management services field organization. This latter accomplishment has directly resulted in sustained excellence in the payment of military and civilian salaries and dealers’ bills, and an expansion in the accounting services rendered to the operating forces. Rear Admiral Wheeler’s untiring efforts have done much to enhance the image of the Navy in the business and civic communities. Through his outstanding managerial abilities, superlative leadership qualities, ingenuity, and selfless devotion to duty, he contributed immeasurably toward improving financial management services in the Navy and Marine Corps, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral (SC) Kenneth Raymond Wheeler (NSN: 0-82872), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from July 1965 to June 1967 as Fleet and Service Force Supply Officer, as Director, Commander in Chief U.S. Atlantic Fleet Resource Management Planning Group, and as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics and Management, on the staff of Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. As Fleet and Service Force Supply Officer, Rear Admiral Wheeler initiated action to establish the Fleet Assistance Programs Branch and the Petroleum School; to coordinate and schedule Atlantic Fleet Food Service Teams; and to relocate the billet of Fleet Supply Officer as a primary billet on the staff of Commander in Chief U.S. Atlantic Fleet. As Director, Commander in Chief U.S. Atlantic Fleet Resource Management Planning Group, he successfully directed and coordinated the entire planning effort within the Atlantic Fleet, preparing for the implementation of the Department of Defense Resource Management System on 1 July 1967. As Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics and Management, Rear Admiral Wheeler was responsible for and directed the establishment, organization and implementation of a new Logistic and Management Organization, which incorporated Fleet Maintenance and Planning, Fleet Supply, Fleet Facilities Engineering, Fleet Medical and Fleet Dental Sections into a single, well-coordinated unit. By his distinctive accomplishments, outstanding leadership and inspiring devotion to duty, Rear Admiral Wheeler upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.