The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Ralph Wynne Cousins (NSN: 0-78689/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States from 9 July 1965 through 14 January 1966, as Commander Carrier Division NINE during combat operations in Southeast Asia. In his role as Commander of Attack Carrier Task Group 77.3 and 77.5, Rear Admiral Cousins conducted a sustained series of air strikes against major military and logistic targets in North Vietnam. During a major portion of the period, he also served as “Yankee Team Commander” and was charged with the direct responsibility for planning, coordination and execution of the combined strike efforts of three attack carrier groups assigned to Task Force 77’s Yankee Team. Under Rear Admiral Cousins’ direction, carrier strike groups destroyed over 140 highway and railroad bridges, 300 trucks, 55 watercraft, and numerous barracks, supply dumps and logistic installations in North Vietnam, thereby substantially reducing the enemy’s capacity to support insurgent Viet Cong forces. During the height of the SA-2 surface to air missile threat, Rear Admiral Cousins developed anti-SAM tactics and directed the first successful strike against an enemy missile installation. His superb leadership, outstanding judgment, and unceasing devotion to duty were in keeping with 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 Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Ralph Wynne Cousins (NSN: 0-78689/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Fleet Operations and Readiness), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, from August 1969 to September 1970. Vice Admiral Cousins has brilliantly discharged his vital responsibilities for maintaining the fleet in the highest state of readiness to defend the nation, a task made most difficult by the rising operational commitment and material condition of the aging ships. This success has been achieved by his unique ability to excel in the professional direction of each diverse element which combine to equal the total readiness posture of the nation’s Navy. His decisions and the priorities he established greatly influenced every ship type and method of naval warfare, not only for the present but for decades to come. His foresighted leadership has provided guidance for the Navy’s most critical programs of the future; the nuclear carriers, surface combatants and high-speed submarines. While looking ahead, Vice Admiral Cousins’ foremost concern was the improvement of today’s operating forces. His personal initiative will go a long way in bringing commitments into line with fleet capabilities. Realizing that improvements for the present and future must be made with a realistic view of inflation and budgetary restraints he has been tireless in his effort to ensure that the proper value is received for every repair and new construction dollar spent. By his outstanding professional competence, sound judgment, and inspiring devotion to the fulfillment of his exacting responsibilities, Vice Admiral Cousins 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 Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Ralph Wynne Cousins (NSN: 0-78689/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander in Chief Atlantic, as Commander in Chief U.S. Atlantic Fleet, as Commander in Chief Western Atlantic Area, as Commander Ocean Sub-Area, and as Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic from October 1972 through May 1975. Admiral Cousins exercised dynamic leadership, planning expertise, and military/political acumen in the successful accomplishment of the missions of these vital commands. He ensured the readiness of his forces by overseeing and expediting the introduction of more sophisticated and versatile ships and weapons systems into the Fleet, by the judicious employment of resources through his areas of responsibility, and by the implementation of advance concepts in management, strategy, and tactics. Admiral Cousins’ expert direction of Fleet, Joint, and Combined training exercises achieved training objectives and assured the effectiveness of his forces to respond to contingencies and to support other forces and unified commanders. His positive actions in increasing the command and control capabilities of the Atlantic Command attest to his foresight and sound judgment. Further, he was a recognized authority in maritime matters within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and was instrumental in furthering the aims and ideals of the NATO alliance throughout the Western World. Admiral Cousins distinctive accomplishments and impressive devotion to duty were in keeping with 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 Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Ralph Wynne Cousins (NSN: 0-78689/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander Attack Carrier Striking Force SEVENTH FLEET (Commander Task Force SEVENTY-SEVEN) and Commander Carrier Division FIVE, from September 1967 to July 1969, during combat operations against enemy aggressor forces in Southeast Asia. A dynamic leader and skilled tactician, Vice Admiral Cousins was responsible for all naval air strikes and combat support missions flown from aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin against communist military concentrations and lines of supply and communications. In this extremely exacting assignment, he excelled in capitalizing on enemy vulnerability and in remaining completely responsive to the demands of higher authority. Following two critical changes in United States policy in connection with naval air operations, Vice Admiral Cousins, through his faultless planning and supervision, was directly responsible for major repositioning of forces with greatest utilization of assets for maximum effectiveness, thereby contributing in large measure to the success of naval air forces in inflicting extensive damage and destruction upon the enemy. By his brilliant leadership, professional excellence, and inspiring devotion to duty, Vice Admiral Cousins upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.