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 Herbert S. Ainsworth, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Patrol Wings, U.S. Pacific Fleet from November 1972 through June 1974. An extremely and competent and resourceful leader, Rear Admiral Ainsworth exercised keen foresight and imaginative planning in the employment of his assigned forces in support of myriad operational and training tasks of Pacific Fleet Anti-submarine Warfare operations. By his professional knowledge, high standards of administrative, and operational performance, he assured a readiness posture of his forces that most effectively met all contingencies. Rear Admiral Ainsworth was required to accept additional responsibilities as a result of reorganization and disestablishment of Fleet Air Commander staffs and assumed these previously assigned functions under austere manning conditions by bringing his staff together into a cohesive and professional group in the role of sub-type commander. Additionally, he steered a Career Motivation Program in support of the Human Goals Program in providing the impetus for the successes achieved in the Patrol Wings Pacific Community by his total involvement. Demonstrating outstanding leadership, perceptive judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty, Rear Admiral Ainsworth upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service..

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Herbert S. Ainsworth, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, Headquarters, Allied Forces Southern Europe, from February 1970 to September 1972. In this capacity, Rear Admiral Ainsworth was directly responsible for infrastructure planning and programming of installations totaling $200 million, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Air Weapons Training Center on Crete. His personal direction and expert guidance were instrumental in the strengthening of forward defenses in Hellenic and Turkish Thrace, and in the multi-functional expansion of maritime airfields in the Mediterranean region. Rear Admiral Ainsworth’s penetrating analysis of regional logistical needs and his astute insight into national capabilities and priorities resulted in a greatly improved logistic posture of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. By his exemplary performance of duty, he rendered valuable and distinguished service, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.