The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral George Whelan Anderson, Jr. (NSN: 0-61323), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, while serving as Chief of Naval Operations, principal naval advisor to the President, and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from August 1961 to August 1963. Admiral Anderson has displayed superb qualities of leadership and professional competence in one of the most responsible positions in the Department of Defense. Under his skillful and effective guidance, the operating forces of the Navy have contributed significantly to our national posture and have carried out their world-wide responsibilities with a view toward enhancing the prestige of the United States and its objective of world peace. Admiral Anderson’s consummate knowledge and understanding of the complexities of international relations, his recognition of the requirements generated by swiftly paced, changing world situations, and his dedication to high military standards have been applied effectively toward keeping the Navy strong and maintaining the United States in a pre-eminent position among the maritime powers of the world. His inspiring devotion to the fulfillment of his extremely important and exacting assignment reflects the highest credit upon himself, represents the ultimate naval achievement in an already distinguished career, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral George Whelan Anderson, Jr. (NSN: 0-61323), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commander SIXTH Fleet from September 1959 to June 1961. Vice Admiral Anderson exhibited professional skill, dynamic leadership, diplomatic ability, and high devotion to duty. As the principal subordinate to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe, Vice Admiral Anderson translated policy guidance into the military direction of the United States SIXTH Fleet, bringing it to an exceptionally high state of readiness for war. As a Fleet Commander, his extensive professional knowledge and his personal brand of vigorous leadership were fuzed into a highly trained and motivated Fleet. The magnificent conduct record of the men of the SIXTH Fleet is attributed to his mature moral leadership. By his high personal standards of conduct, Vice Admiral Anderson, through the tireless and diligent application of his singular capabilities as seaman and diplomat, elevated the SIXTH Fleet to a new high level of prestige and effectiveness as an instrument for the conduct of the foreign affairs of his country. Through his skillful direction, the SIXTH Fleet by its demonstrated seapower has become known as a great power for peace in the Mediterranean. His outstanding political diplomatic talents have done much to encourage and strengthen the ties of friendship between the United States and the littoral Mediterranean nations and to steel them in their resolve to resist the tide of Communism and Communist infiltration. He recognized that the mission of good will was second only to that of readiness. His continual endeavors and keen foresight have labeled the SIXTH Fleet as an ambassador of good will. The countless acts of planned and spontaneous friendship performed by SIXTH Fleet personnel under his direction have welded bonds of mutual faith and understanding between peoples. Vice Admiral Anderson’s outstanding performance and distinguished service reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander George Whelan Anderson, Jr. (NSN: 0-61323), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Head of the Plans Division of the Staff of Commander Air Forces Pacific during the period from November 1943 to March 1944. In this capacity it was his grave responsibility to prepare plans for the activation and employment of Air Forces Pacific aircraft units and ships, and to supervise the preparation of plans for the establishment of initial logistic support of advanced air bases. The ultimate success of these plans may be attributed in a large measure, to the highly efficient manner in which he contributed to the compiling and evaluating of the details upon which these plans were based, and to his sound judgment in estimating future requirements and availability of Pacific Fleet aviation units. His conduct and devotion to duty were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.