The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain David Harrison Bagley (NSN: 0-283295), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 15 May 1964 to 15 August 1966 as Executive Assistant and Naval Aide to the Under Secretary of the Navy. During this period of major organizational changes within the Department of the Navy and of sharp acceleration in the tempo of operations by naval forces in Southeast Asia, Captain Bagley is credited with singularly superior performance. Outstanding among his accomplishments was the key role he played in planning and executing a realignment of functions within the Offices of the Secretary and the Under Secretary of the Navy culminating in the establishment of the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy (Manpower). Wholly responsible for executing a thorough internal reorganization of the Office of the Under Secretary of the Navy and for the establishment of relationships coincident with the realignment of responsibility of the Under Secretary of the Navy with other parts of the Secretariat and the principal offices of the Department of the Navy, he skillfully and effectively welded and focused the efforts of the staffs of the Under Secretary and Deputy Under Secretary to achieve a most successful and sound reorganization. Through his outstanding professional competence and diligence, coupled with his leadership, judgment and resourcefulness, Captain Bagley rendered invaluable service during a period of major decisions of far-reaching impact. His distinguished accomplishments reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

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 David Harrison Bagley (NSN: 0-283295), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period August 1969 through August 1970 while serving consecutively as Deputy Chairman, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Special Studies Group, and as Chief, Studies, Analysis, and Gaming Agency. An outstandingly competent and resourceful leader, Rear Admiral Bagley was responsible for the preparation of studies and analyses of the requirements for strategic and general purpose forces and weapons systems and for performing joint war gaming and inter-agency politico-military simulations. These studies were requested by the National Security Council, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and were of the highest national and international importance, transcending purely military considerations and encompassing political, economic, and psychological aspects in the formulation of United States policy and courses of action toward specific regions and alliances. Rear Admiral Bagley rendered invaluable service in connection with foreseeing problem areas, suggesting those subjects for which in-depth study was required, outlining various aspects of the national and international issues which needed addressing, and assessing correctly the sensitive and controlling elements of the problems involved. Due primarily to his leadership and incisive judgments these efforts have served as bases for decisions at the highest government levels. By his outstanding leadership, sound judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty, Rear Admiral Bagley reflected great credit upon himself and the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service..

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 David Harrison Bagley (NSN: 0-283295), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla NINE and Commander Cruiser-Destroyer Group SEVENTH Fleet from October 1968 through February 1969, in connection with combat operations against enemy aggressor forces in Southeast Asia. During this period, Rear Admiral Bagley was responsible for the supervision and coordination of all Anti-Air Warfare, Search and Rescue, Naval Gunfire Support, and SEA DRAGON Operations. In fulfilling these vital roles, he devoted a great amount of personal effort toward improving existing doctrine and to the incorporation of U.S.S. NEW JERSEY into combat operations. Rear Admiral Bagley personally led numerous highly successful major surface strikes against enemy concentrations. His overall effort resulted in increased utilization of all surface assets against the enemy and in highly effective interdiction and gunfire support campaigns. Rear Admiral Bagley’s professional competence, sound leadership, and dedication reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Rear Admiral Bagley is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)