The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Robert Taylor Scott Keith, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period April 1960 through January 1964 as Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Senior Member of the U.N. Command Military Armistice Commission Korea; and Commander FIRST Fleet. Rear Admiral Keith conceived and initiated a major reorganization of CRUDESPAC, the new Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla concept, which significantly and materially improved combat readiness in tactical deployment and achieved the best balance of capabilities available. While serving as senior member of the U.N. Command Military Armistice Commission in Korea, he was charged with negotiating with representatives of Communist China and North Korea in any matter that was brought before the Commission. During this period, he exercised the utmost ability, tact, and grasp of international affairs in what can best be described as one of the world’s most difficult political arenas. In his role as Commander FIRST Fleet, Rear Admiral [then Vice Admiral] Keith displayed brilliant leadership and professional competence in maintaining the Fleet at a high level of combat readiness.