The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Dick Henry Guinn (NSN: 0-100304/1310), 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 (Manpower and Naval Reserve) and Chief of Naval Personnel from August 1970 through January 1972. During this period of extraordinary change in the modern Navy, Vice Admiral Guinn anticipated and resolved the complex personnel problems associated with moving toward an all volunteer Navy, while at the same time reposturing the Navy manpower profile to accommodate the rapidly decreasing force levels. He provided an authoritative voice in manpower decisions at the executive levels of the Navy, Department of Defense and before the Congress. Despite the pressure of austere funding coupled with a decreasing force, Vice Admiral Guinn’s deep concern for the morale and welfare of Navy men and women has been manifested in the many programs he sponsored to increase compensation eligibility, educational opportunity, promotion opportunity, and career attractiveness. Major improvements in planning and management techniques to provide more effective personnel utilization attested to Vice Admiral Guinn’s ingenuity and ability to innovate. His presentation of facts and opinions before members of Congress and other leaders of the Government has provided them a better understanding of the Navy’s objectives. By his dedicated service and brilliant record of achievement during this period, Vice Admiral Guinn reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Cross
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Legion of Merit
Board Serial 528 (May 23, 1969)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Dick Henry Guinn (NSN: 0-100304/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from May 1967 to May 1969 as Chief of Naval Air Basic Training. Under Rear Admiral Guinn’s dynamic leadership, the Naval Air Basic Training Command reached a new plateau in efficiency and morale. Many new concepts of training and management were introduced, and existing concepts and practices expanded and improved. The skilled and spirited performance of personnel of his command in increasing the number of flight hours flown by eleven percent while reducing the accident rate by twelve percent is indicative of the zeal to excel which Rear Admiral Guinn instilled in his subordinates. His tireless search for new management techniques, his energetic dedication to the furtherance of education, and his attention to improvement of facilities have greatly benefited his command and the Navy in general. By his outstanding leadership, sound judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty throughout his tenure as Chief of Naval Air Basic Training, Rear Admiral Guinn upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
LieutenantBatallion:
Fighting Squadron 94 (VF-94)Action Date:
July 24, 1945
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Dick Henry Guinn (NSN: 0-100304/1310), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Combat Plane and Division Leader of Fighter Squadron NINETY-FOUR (VF-94), in operations against the enemy at the Japanese Naval Anchorage, Kure, Honshu, on 24 July 1945. He skillfully and courageously piloted his aircraft in a determined attack against an enemy cruiser, and in the face of intense and heavy anti-aircraft fire from enemy warships and ground installations, scored a direct large caliber bomb hit which contributed materially to the destruction of this vessel. On retiring from the target through anti-aircraft fire he strafed and severely damaged a cargo vessel, 150 gross tonnage, ten miles south of the target. His initiative, skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.