The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Edward M. Straw, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as the Director, Supply Programs and Policy, Washington, D.C. from August 1988 to July 1991. During this period, the Naval logistics system was under extreme pressure as a result of continuing fiscal constraints, the downsizing initiatives resulting from the Defense Management Review, and operations demands associated with Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, the largest deployment of Naval forces since World War II. Rear Admiral Straw’s brilliant and incisive leadership played a central role in the Department of the Navy’s ability to deal with these competing pressures. He personally initiated comprehensive and far-reaching programs to substantially improve Navy readiness in the critical areas of inventory, ammunition, depot maintenance, and reserve personnel management. Rear Admiral Straw spearheaded the Navy’s actions in support of numerous logistics-oriented Defense Management Review initiatives accounting for over $28 billion in Department of Defense-wide savings. The results of these contributions manifested themselves during Operation DESERT STORM when the fleet experienced record high readiness posture. These readiness figures can be directly traced to the performance of Rear Admiral Straw. By his distinctive achievements, unparalleled professionalism, and steadfast dedication to duty, Rear Admiral Straw reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.