The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Air Vice Marshall Robert V. Goddard, Royal New Zealand Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as chief of air staff and officer commanding the Royal New Zealand Air Force in the South Pacific area from December 1941 to July 1943. Air Vice Marshall Goddard made his command a united combat force in the effective defense of New Zealand early in the war. Later, his command was a powerful offensive weapon, integrated into the U.S. Pacific command during the crucial phases of the Guadalcanal campaign.