The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel John Walter Ripley (MCSN: 0-84239/1653859), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Marine Corps Representative and Director, Division of English and History, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, from July 1984 to June 1987. Colonel Ripley’s contributions as Division Director and ex-officio member of the numerous high level deliberative bodies had a lasting influence on the course of the Naval Academy and the Naval Service as a whole. As Marine Corps Representative, he spearheaded a dynamic information program whose success was unmatched in the history of the Academy. The heightened awareness of the role and capabilities of the Marine Corps and the enthusiasm for service as a Marine that was generated throughout the Brigade of Midshipmen was attributable directly to his personal involvement and to his superb leadership of the Marine Corps team at the Naval Academy. Colonel Ripley’s genuine commitment to the highest ideals of his service, frequently displayed as public forums where he lectured on the values of the military ethic, and his unflagging work to promote the aims of the Marine Corps, led to a substantially improved image of the Marines within the Brigade and within the community as a whole. By his adroit leadership, visionary farsightedness, and inspiring devotion to duty, Colonel Ripley reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and 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 to Colonel John Walter Ripley (MCSN: 0-84239/1653859), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Unit, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia from July 1990 through June 1992. Through his energetic initiative, superb managerial skills, and dedicated focus on mission accomplishment, Colonel Ripley was responsible for the unit becoming one of the top NROTC units in the country. Using his foresight, innovations, and outstanding leadership, he developed and instituted the only Operational Leadership Naval Science course taught to Marine Option NROTC students which placed the Unit as one of the top producers in the Nation for the Nuclear Power Program with an accession rte of 33 percent above requirements and a ten percent increase in student academic grade point average performance. In addition to his regular duties, Colonel Ripley served on the Academic Board, Admissions Committee, and the Leadership Committee which enhanced the status of Navy programs on campus and contributed to the academic excellence of the institute. Because of his military bearing, exceptional expertise, and esprit de corps, he was respected and admired by all. Colonel Ripley’s tireless efforts, notable effectiveness, and total devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.