The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Rear Admiral Forrest Betton Royal, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander Amphibious Group SIX, serving under Commander SEVENTH Amphibious Force, during our amphibious operations against enemy Japanese-held strongholds extending from Luzon through the Central and Southern Philippines, the Sulu Archipelago and Borneo, from 1 February 1945 to 18 June 1945. Rear Admiral Royal rendered valiant service in coordinating the joint activities of Allied naval and military forces and by his thorough comprehension of the tasks assigned him and his brilliant direction of these vital operations, contributed immeasurably to the success of the amphibious campaign in the Southwest Pacific Area. Directly concerned with the transportation of troops and equipment necessary for the Allied advance toward Manila, he subsequently served as Attack Group Commander during the actual invasion, personally leading amphibious forces which landed at Zamboanga, Mindanao, on 10 March; at Tarakan, North Borneo on 1 May; and at Brunei Bay, Borneo, on 10 June 1945.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Forrest Betton Royal, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as commander of an amphibious task group during the preparation for and throughout our assault operations against the enemy-held islands of Leyte and Luzon from July 1944 to January 1945. Admiral Royal was a resourceful tactician and brilliant leader. He displayed exceptional ability in organizing and training the forces under his command into a smoothly functioning unit and in formulating plans for the invasions, working tirelessly and with meticulous attention to the most minute details incident to our landing operations. A master of amphibious warfare, deeply imbued with the spirit of combat, he maintained his force at the peak of battle efficiency, contributing immeasurably to the successful accomplishment of the missions assigned to his command, with minimum loss in personnel and material. His outstanding professional skill, daring aggressiveness and valiant devotion to duty throughout were essential factors in the success of our sustained drive toward a fanatic, determined enemy.