The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Jon Lippitt Boyes (NSN: 0-282928), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant to the Director, Far East Region, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs) from 24 June 1964 to 9 September 1966. Captain Boyes developed a series of penetrating analyses and sound recommendations for improvement in Department of Defense policies and programs with the result that vital combat readiness of Republic of Korea forces continued to improve despite declining availability of funds and resources. He was primarily responsible for staff preparation of DOD arrangements leading to the deployment by the Republic of Korea of major combat forces to the Republic of Vietnam. He has also been responsible for staff action and interagency coordination of all Department of Defense interests in Japan and the Ruykyu Islands and was the principal DOD representative on an interagency group which formulated a comprehensive and integrated United States national policy with respect to the Republic of Korea. Highly knowledgeable of conditions in the countries of his responsibility, across the full spectrum of politico-military-economic problems, and incisive in marshalling and presenting systematic support for policy recommendations, Captain Boyes has made an outstanding contribution to the work of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (SA) in a critical area of the world. His performance has been consistently exceptional quality, and 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 Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Jon Lippitt Boyes (NSN: 0-282928), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from July 1969 to July 1971 as Deputy Director, Plans, Defense Communications Agency (DCA). Responsible for the overall planning and coordination of worldwide communications in support of national policy and objectives, Rear Admiral Boyes consistently carried out his important responsibilities with an outstandingly high degree of professional competence, leadership ability, and personal dedication. Rear Admiral Boyes directed the planning and development of essential plans, established telecommunications standards, and conducted important research and development projects, designed to provide the vital telecommunications service essential to the worldwide command and control functions of the Department of Defense and other government agencies. Under Rear Admiral Boyes’ able supervision, the Defense Communications System (DCS) Plan evolved into a comprehensive and viable plan which provides visibility to the components of the Department of Defense on DCS goals and objectives, application of research and development to DCS, and fiscal guidance for the timely and orderly evolution of Defense Communications. As a result of actions and studies carried out under his direction, an estimated $5 million annually in cost savings will be realized by the U.S. Government. By his exemplary and inspiring performance of duty, Rear Admiral Boyes reflected great credit upon himself and the Defense Communications Agency, 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 Jon Lippitt Boyes (NSN: 0-282928), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from August 1971 to May 1973 as the Director, Communications-Electronics, Headquarters, United States European Command. In this important assignment, Rear Admiral Boyes displayed a high degree of leadership and professionalism in improving the communications capability of the U.S. European Command and in providing the essential guidance needed to improve and increase the flow of communications, thereby enhancing understanding of command positions vital to the unified command and of great significance to the United States. By his mature and astute judgment, outstanding technical knowledge, and unswerving loyalty, Rear Admiral Boyes directly furthered the interests of the United States and significantly enhanced the military posture of the European Command. His performance reflected great credit upon himself and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.