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 Paul C. Boyd (NSN: 0-447136), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as the Chief Advisor, Navy Section of the United States Military Mission with the Imperial Iranian Navy and the United States Military Assistance Advisory Group to Iran from July 1974 to July 1976. An extremely competent and resourceful manager, Rear Admiral Boyd was instrumental in guiding the planning and development of the Imperial Iranian Navy during a period of unprecedented modernization and expansion. Through intense personal dedication, he assisted the flag officers of the Imperial Iranian Navy in every step of the complex process of creating a highly capable naval force. As a result of his superb organizational ability and tireless effort, a functional system of headquarters directorates and deputies for operational and administrative control of a modern fleet was established. Rear Admiral Boyd was instrumental in the progress of the Iranian Navy Training Command, which is now the finest unit of its kind in Iran. In addition, he administered a vast security assistance program comprising more than 100 foreign military sales cases with a monetary value in excess of two billion dollars. By his distinctive achievements, professional acumen, and steadfast devotion to duty, Rear Admiral Boyd reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of 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 Paul C. Boyd (NSN: 0-447136), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director, Security Assistance Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations from August 1976 to February 1978. As the Navy’s representative for Security Assistance matters, Rear Admiral Boyd was responsible for and contributed directly to the increased efficiency of the U.S. Navy’s Security Assistance program. His adept management and keen vision were instrumental in maintaining the U.S. Navy’s responsiveness to Security Assistance requirements during a period of rapid change in the legal and administrative complexion of the program. Rear Admiral Boyd demonstrated superb managerial ability in realigning the Navy organization in response to a restructuring of the legislative basis for Security Assistance programs, and he exhibited outstanding judgment in the management of increasingly complex arms sales transactions. Through personal magnetism and a fine sense of tact and diplomacy, he achieved extraordinary success in dealing with representatives of foreign governments, and by his expert explanation of the increasingly complex administrative requirements, he enhanced their appreciation of the Navy’s program. Rear Admiral Boyd’s steadfast leadership, professional acumen, and untiring dedication to duty reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.