The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Lee Baggett, Jr. (NSN: 0-532631), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet from May 1979 through July 1982. Through dynamic and innovative management, brilliant leadership, and intense attention to every aspect of his duties, Vice Admiral Baggett instituted important improvements in organization, procedures, and policy which significantly enhanced the total combat readiness of the Naval Surface Force Pacific. By virtue of his bold and aggressive actions, he achieved major gains in bettering ship material reliability, increasing operational availability of forces, improving efficiency and effectiveness of force repair and intermediate maintenance assets, upgrading combat systems and propulsion plant training, and enhancing the morale, professionalism, and well-being of assigned personnel. Demonstrating great versatility, competence, and an indefatigable spirit, Vice Admiral Baggett served as Senior Officer Present San Diego and carried out many sensitive and important duties hosting high level foreign dignitaries including the San Diego portion of the State visit of the Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China as well as senior U.S. officials and Congressmen. Vice Admiral Baggett’s great professional accomplishments, unrelenting perseverance, and untiring devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.




