Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Admiral James Sargent Russell, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander in Chief, Allied Forces, Southern Europe, from January 1962 to January 1965. During this period Admiral Russell made an outstanding contribution to the security of the United States and its NATO allies. His direction and coordination of the multi-national forces allocated to his command contributed materially to their readiness. During the negotiations for an amicable settlement of the Cyprus crises, he exhibited skill, clear-sightedness and objectivity in his relationship with officials of Allied Nations in the Southern Region and with commanders of contiguous national and NATO military commands. Admiral Russell initiated the preparation and negotiation of civil-military cooperation agreements with the governments of Greece, Italy and Turkey for the division of responsibilities in wartime between allied and national commanders. These agreements were the first of their nature to be completed within the Allied Command, Europe. Through his leadership, Admiral Russell materially enhanced the military posture of his command and advanced the accomplishment of the NATO mission.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Batallion:

    Patrol Squadron 42 (VP-42)

    Action Date:

    February 5, 1942
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 369 (November 1947)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Commander James Sargent Russell, United States Navy, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Commanding Officer of Patrol Squadron FORTY-TWO (VP-42), in the Aleutian Islands, Territory of Alaska, on 5 February 1942.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Batallion:

    Patrol Squadron 42 (VP-42)

    Action Date:

    June 15 – October 14, 1942
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 319 (October 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander James Sargent Russell, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during operations directed toward the bombing of Kiska, Territory of Alaska, 15 June to 14 October 1942. As commander of Patrol Squadron FORTY-TWO (VP-42), in the Aleutian Islands, Commander Russell established a base despite severe weather conditions and extremely limited facilities. He made many all-night patrols of the fog-bound upper Bearing Sea and personally led units of his squadron at night in instrument weather.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Admiral

    Action Date:

    July 1958 – November 1961
    All Hands (April 1962)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral James Sargent Russell, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Vice Chief of Naval Operations from July 1958 to November 1961. Exercising administrative, planning, and operational ability of the highest caliber, Admiral Russell has been eminently successful in carrying out an extremely difficult and exacting assignment. As executive of the Chief of Naval Operations, he displayed sound judgment and keen foresight in resolving complex problems involving a Navy in transition to rocketry and nuclear power, politico-military actions resulting from the cold war, and world-wide commitments to our allies. Through his progressive leadership, vision, and wide knowledge and background of naval operations and administration, coupled with his complete intellectual honesty in dealing with political and military officials, he was able to produce, through the very force of his personality, results of signal value to the United States.