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 Brigadier General Kenneth J. Houghton (MCSN: 0-13965), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, from February 1970 to May 1972, and as Chief of Staff/Deputy Commander from May 1972 through August 1972. Exercising an outstandingly high degree of professional competence, leadership ability, foresightedness, and dedication, Brigadier General Houghton was eminently successful in providing Force Headquarters with consistently superior managerial and organizational support, and played a leading role in carrying out the efficient and economically sound deployment of Fleet Marine Force, pacific, and other allied Marine forces from the Republic of Vietnam. In addition to his invaluable contributions toward molding redeployed Marine units into a force-in-readiness with the capability of responding instantly to contingencies anywhere in the Eastern and Western Pacific Ocean areas, Brigadier General Houghton reorganized the Force Headquarters and staff to improve overall effectiveness, coordinated the establishment of human affairs and career planning programs, and cultivated exceptionally harmonious relationships with the civilian community. By his distinguished performance of duty, Brigadier General Houghton reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps, 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 Colonel Kenneth J. Houghton (MCSN: 0-13965), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division and subsequently as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, Third Marine Amphibious Force in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 28 February 1967 to 27 February 1968. During this period, Colonel Houghton performed his myriad and demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. As Regimental Commander, he consistently displayed exceptional leadership and initiative in the skillful manner in which he utilized all available assets to direct elements of his command during numerous combat operations. His superior knowledge of tactics, keen insight and intuitive understanding of enemy capabilities inspired all who served under his dynamic leadership and contributed materially to the outstanding success his unit achieved in each engagement with the enemy. During Operation UNIOIN, he ably planned, coordinated and led his units in a decisive defeat of an estimated two enemy regiments. During Operation ADAIR, his regiment aggressively pursued the hostile forces into the mountains, and in large measure due to his sound tactical judgment and leadership, accounted for seventy-four enemy confirmed killed. Reassigned on 2 July 1967 as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, Colonel Houghton exhibited exceptional resourcefulness, ingenuity and a thorough knowledge of military tactics and strategy, which materially enhanced the expanding intelligence effort of the Third Marine Amphibious Force throughout the I Corps Tactical Zone. By his superior professional skill, resourceful leadership and inspiring devotion to duty throughout, Colonel Houghton contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his units’ missions and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service. (Colonel Houghton is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Kenneth J. Houghton (MCSN: 0-13965), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Operations Staff Officer in the European/Middle East Division, Operations Directorate, Joint Staff Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 8 April 1964 to 1 February 1967. Colonel Houghton developed and coordinated a succession of urgent, complex, and difficult military political analyses, studies, contingency plans, and recommended actions required by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and higher authorities, which contributed significantly toward the maintenance of United States and Allied rights in Berlin and the accomplishment of United States objectives in Southeast Asia. Among these were proposals for countering Soviet East German helicopter flights over West Berlin, which he had developed in detail in collaboration with field commanders. Also, during the April 1965 crisis on the Berlin Autobahn, his astute assessment of the situation and lucid presentation of the facts and possible courses of action to the decision makers, enabled the United States, along with her Allies to prevent the escalation of a major crisis in Berlin into a major confrontation. He participated and provided significant contributions in an evaluations report of the air campaigns in Southeast Asia for use in the highest governmental levels. He was instrumental in developing statements of policy and actual procedures for the Department of Defense and State regarding United States prisoners of war and detainees in North Vietnam. By his outstanding professional competence, judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty throughout, Colonel Houghton reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.