The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Edward Samuel Briggs (NSN: 0-521281), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as a Senior Advisor and Staff Officer to Commander Task Force SEVENTY-EIGHT during critical negotiations with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam from 4 February to 10 March 1973. Captain Briggs consistently demonstrated an extraordinary ability to formulate goals, to plan for their achievement, to organize human and material resources, and to weave these elements into tangible accomplishment. Virtually unassisted, he personally planned and directed final assembly, organization, and sailing of Task Force SEVENTY-EIGHT, deployment of the precursor countermeasure forces into Haiphong, and final commitment of the Main Force. These complexly interrelated actions were carefully coordinated with the pace of negotiations and with the policy guidance received from the Joint Chiefs of Staff and from the Commander in Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet. Through his exceptional capacity for creative work, Captain Briggs brilliantly supported highly complex and delicate negotiations for inception of mine countermeasure operations which were directly and inextricably associated with successful achievement of the release of United States prisoners of war and withdrawal of United States forces from South Vietnam. Captain Briggs’ resourcefulness and outstanding performance of duty while serving in a position of great responsibility 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 with Combat “V” to Captain Edward Samuel Briggs (NSN: 0-521281), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during combat operations as Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and later as Chief of Staff for Commander SEVENTH Fleet from 22 August 1972 to 26 October 1973. Captain Briggs consistently demonstrated foresight, expert managerial ability and positive leadership in the performance of his myriad responsibilities, always demonstrating the highest degree of personal loyalty in carrying out the policies of Commander SEVENTH Fleet. His expertise and experience enabled him to be of immeasurable assistance both during combat operations in Southeast Asia and during the post hostilities era. He expertly provided plans and recommendations concerning force levels, special operations in the Southeast Asia Theater, air strikes in North and South Vietnam, and the continued mining of strategic waterways of North Vietnam. His tenure as Chief of Staff was during a period of great change for both the Staff and the fleet as a whole. He provided valuable continuity and superb guidance through a time of major rotation in key staff personnel. Through his leadership the triennial Command Inspection of Staff, Commander SEVENTH Fleet results were highly successful and praiseworthy. As fleet operations were undergoing a fundamental re-orientation, his depth of experience proved invaluable in the smooth implementation of SEVENTH Fleet’s peacetime contingency plans. Captain Briggs’ outstanding professionalism, personal devotion to duty and positive leadership reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Briggs is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)