The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral James W. Underwood, United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, SEVENTEENTH Coast Guard District, Naval Forces Alaska, and Maritime Defense Command One Seven, from May 2002 to May 2004. Under his leadership Seventeenth District units prosecuted over 1,200 search and rescue cases, saving over 360 lives and assisting over 1,070 others. His operational expertise and astute diplomatic skills were instrumental in resolving potentially volatile situations on the Maritime Boundary Line with Russia when foreign fishing vessels were detected encroaching on the United States side of the Line. He executed an overt patrol strategy and developed an excellent rapport with his Northeast Regional Directorate subsequently declined significantly. His emphasis on maritime homeland security planning and interagency teamwork proved invaluable during the well coordinated multi-agency response in Valdez over the 2003 Christmas holidays in response to an increase in the nationwide terrorist threat conditions. Rear Admiral Underwood’s teamwork approach was reflected in all aspects of Coast Guard operations as evidenced in the superb interagency effort to monitor the Greenpeace vessel ESPERANZA’s operations while operating in and around Southeast Alaska. Recognizing the value of the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Alaska, he directed that a Safe Boat be procured for their use, laying the foundation for a third Auxiliary Station in Homer to improve the search and rescue capability in that area. Rear Admiral Underwood’s ability, diligence, and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral James W. Underwood, United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director, Office of Intelligence and Security at the Department of Transportation (DOT), from May 200 until April 2002. Demonstrating exceptional professional competence, foresight and decisiveness, Rear Admiral Underwood served superbly as the Secretary of Transportation’s national security advisor and representative on transportation security and intelligence matters. Demonstrating unparalleled commitment to promoting security within the transportation sector, Rear Admiral Underwood established groundbreaking partnerships with industry as the DOT Sector Liaison Official for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP), worked with industry to establish a rail Information Sharing and Analysis Center, and greatly increased awareness of CIP issues throughout the sector. He established a comprehensive DOT research & development security plan from various disjointed efforts, provided invaluable input to Federal Aviation Administration country assessments and developed a process for auditing the security of foreign code share services. In the wake of the September 11th attacks, he displayed outstanding stamina over an extended period of long hours in crisis mode leading, organizing, and managing DOT’s and the transportation sector’s response to the crisis. His active engagement in virtually every aspect of transportation security allowed the developing Transportation Security Administration to focus on organizational issues and Congressional deadlines. He coordinated all DOT support to the Office of Homeland Security and its Policy Coordinating Committees, ensured issues critical to the transportation sector were fully addressed, and drafted Departmental input on a variety of critical issues from border security, to National Guard support in airports, to a new Homeland Security Advisory System. His consistent professional demeanor, keen analytical and organizational skills, and decisiveness significantly contributed to the enhancement of the Coast Guard’s image on both a national and international basis. Rear Admiral Underwood’s ability, diligence, and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.