The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Thomas Bibb Hayward (NSN: 0-498206), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Executive Assistant and Naval Aide to the Under Secretary of the Navy from August 1968 to October 1969. Captain Hayward was extremely effective in carrying out his many and varied responsibilities, participating significantly in decisions made at the highest levels of the Navy Department. His tenure was especially noteworthy as it spanned a change in administrations that brought four new members out of six to the Secretariat. His professional expertise, particularly in the field of aviation, and unerring attention to detail abetted the early orientation of the new team. Captain Hayward displayed an unusual faculty for assessing the overall implications of major issues, while retaining an appreciation for the detailed elements which influence their resolution. As the key executive assistant to two Under Secretaries of the Navy, he rendered incalculable professional assistance while always exhibiting the finest sense of personal integrity, sound judgment and exemplary tact. He discharged his sensitive and important responsibilities with unswerving loyalty to his superiors, both civilian and military. This loyalty was equally manifested to his associates and co-workers of whom he was ever considerate. Captain Hayward’s distinguished record of achievement reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.






