The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Albert Joseph Baciocco, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as Commander, Submarine Group SIX from July 1981 to August 1983. Rear Admiral Baciocco was instrumental in upgrading the war readiness posture of the approximately fifty submarines under his responsibility. He quickly evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of the existing training programs and proceeded from that departure point to develop what is now one of the most responsive and effective training regimes in the Atlantic Fleet’s operating forces. The task of evaluating tactical readiness and providing realistic training both ashore and at sea for nuclear attack submarines attached to Submarine Squadrons SIX and EIGHT homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, and Submarine Squadron EIGHTEEN in Charleston, South Carolina, and Submarine Squadron SIXTEEN in Kings Bay, Georgia, was accomplished with great vigor and enthusiasm and resulted in noticeable improvement in the war fighting readiness of these submarines. During his tenure, Rear Admiral Baciocco was additionally tasked with the responsibility of serving as Commander, Naval Base, Charleston from June 1982 to September 1982. As the interim Base Commander, he superbly directed two large staffs simultaneously from two separate physical locations. Rear Admiral Baciocco’s outstanding leadership, unerring judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Vice AdmiralAction Date:
August 1983 – March 1987
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 Vice 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 Director, Research, Development and Acquisition in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations from August 1983 through March 1987. Responsible for planning and executing an annual budget of over $10 billion, Vice Admiral Baciocco’s decisions directly improved Navy modernization and procurement programs. He personally initiated comprehensive and far-sighted programs designed to attain optimum balance between requirements and resources. Vice Admiral Baciocco championed the cause of a strong and vigorous technology base patterned along warfare area lines and an effective interface between the research community and fleet requirements. A leader in cooperative development programs with our sister services and our allies, he was most effective in restoring the Navy to a position of prominence in interoperability and cooperation, thereby enhancing allied and U.S. warfighting and deterrent capabilities. Vice Admiral Baciocco’s distinctive accomplishments, unrelenting perseverance, and steadfast devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and upheld 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 a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Albert Joseph Baciocco, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, Submarine Squadron FOUR from April 1974 to August 1976. An extremely competent and resourceful leader, Captain Baciocco maintained the Squadron in a superb state of readiness. On four occasions during this period, attack submarine support was required on less than twenty-four hours notice to participate in missions of great importance to the security of the United States for periods of up to sixty days. Captain Baciocco was recognized in both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets as a leader in the development and execution of submarine tactics for operations in direct support of fleet units. His imaginative and dynamic approach to solving complex command and control problems associated with such operations resulted in his being consulted on an inter-fleet basis for planning and participation or associated exercises. By his outstanding performance, mature judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty, Captain Baciocco reflected great credit upon himself and upheld 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 Albert Joseph Baciocco, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Submarine Division FORTY-TWO from July 1969 to July 1971. Under Commander Baciocco’s exceptional direction, the submarines of the Division distinguished themselves in Fleet operations, in the development and employment of advanced tactics and sensor systems, and in other operational areas vital to national interests. Commander Baciocco’s dynamic leadership and outstanding professional competence were evidenced in virtually every area of current Submarine Force interest, were reflected in the superb performance of the submarines of his command, and were instrumental in improving attack submarine tactical doctrine. Commander Baciocco’s dedication to duty, his superior support to ships of the Division during many difficult tasks, and his diligent efforts in executing the duties of command reflected great credit upon himself and upheld 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 a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Albert Joseph Baciocco, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from July 1972 to March 1974 as Executive Assistant and Naval Aide to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Financial Management. Exercising outstanding professional and personal skill, objectivity, resourcefulness and analytical ability, Captain Baciocco contributed immeasurably to the enhancement of financial management in the Department of the Navy. His unusually broad background, considerable knowledge and perception of naval matters, combined with his thorough knowledge of the Planning, Programming and Budgeting System, provided invaluable counsel and basis for decision making within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Financial Management. Additionally, his ability to establish and maintain rapport with civilian officials, Congressional committee members and senior officials of other Services was of inestimable value to the harmonious and effective functioning of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Financial Management. Captain Baciocco’s true professionalism, dedication, sound judgment, and inspiring leadership reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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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 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.