The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Robert Lee Dennison, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States from February 1960 to April 1963 as Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic; Commander in Chief, Atlantic; and Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Admiral Dennison, as Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic, skillfully directed the highly sensitive aspects of this assignment, and contributed substantially to the high state of readiness and efficiency of the forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A most significant accomplishment, one with the broadest impact, was his contribution to the successful introduction of the POLARIS submarine into the U.S. Fleet. During the Cuban Crisis of 1962 his leadership and professional skill were demonstrated by his direction of the military forces assigned to his command.