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 Frank T. Watkins, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Antisubmarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, from March 1957, at which time this force was superseded by the Antisubmarine Defense Force Command, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, which he commanded until 8 August 1958; as Commander Ocean Sub-Area, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and Commander U.S. Atlantic Sub-Area and Ocean Sub-Area Atlantic in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization from March 1957 to 8 August 1958; and as Commandant, THIRTEENTH Naval District, from 27 August 1958 to 31 December 1960. Exercising a high degree of professional ability, Rear Admiral (then Vice Admiral) Watkins organized and became the first Commander Anti-submarine Defense Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, a dynamic operational command for the defense of the East Coast and a key command in the defense posture of the continental United States.