The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Albert Joseph Baciocco, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Chief of Naval Research from July 1978 through June 1981 and as Chief of Naval Development and Deputy Chief of Naval Material (Technology) from September 1981 through June 1981. Rear Admiral Baciocco made a marked impact on the management, performance, and effectiveness of naval research and exploratory development; he introduced and implemented management procedures and processes which will benefit the Navy and the nation for many years to come. Early in his tour, Rear Admiral Baciocco established a formal Program Planning and Budgeting System in the Office of Naval Research (ONR) closely linking it with the existing Department of the Navy system to ensure that Navy and Marine Corps needs were addressed in a systematic, credible, and prioritized way. He directed a major internal study of ONR and its future and implemented a series of initiatives, including substantive organizational changes, to optimize ONR’s effectiveness in performing its mission in the decade of the 1980’s and beyond. With the trust, concurrence, and guidance of the Secretary of the Navy and Chief of Naval Material, Rear Admiral Baciocco established, organized, and directed the Office of Naval Technology for the purpose of managing the Navy’s exploratory development programs along the pattern he had successfully achieved at ONR. Additionally, his ability to effectively enunciate and communicate the Navy’s mission-oriented research requirements to wide segments of the country’s academic and industrial communities resulted in strengthened linkages with the Navy and improved significantly research and development programs in all technology areas of interest to the Navy. Rear Admiral Baciocco imparted that intangible quality of his command which was essential to the free flow of new ideas and concepts. By his matchless organizational achievements, innovative methods, and selfless dedication to duty, Rear Admiral Baciocco reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.



