The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Nathan Farragut Twining (ASN: 0-12366/A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. Major General Twining relieved Rear Admiral Mitscher, U.S. navy, and assumed command of Air, Solomons, 25 July 1943. General Twining contributed in large measure to the occupation of Munda on 5 August 1943 by his continuance of offensive air power against that enemy airfield. The well planned and efficiently executed air strikes against Vella Lavella by General Twining’s forces were materially responsible for the successful landings on that island, thereby effectively blocking to a great extent the Japanese supply route to Kolombangara. However, the enemy forces were still being supplied by barges operating at night and hiding along heavily forested shores during the daytime. General Twining by personal investigation, well conceived planning, and brilliantly executed strikes destroyed these barges in their lairs forcing the abandonment of Kolombangara by the Japanese. In order to proceed further into enemy held territory it was mandatory to neutralize enemy air power in the Bougainville Island area and General Twining by efficient and masterly use of air facilities at his command battered the enemy airfields at Ballale Island, Kahili, and Kieta, providing at the same time, fighter protection that effectively prevented enemy air retaliation. This reduction of enemy air facilities and our own control of the air permitted the occupation of Treasury Island and the invasion of Bougainville Island at Empress Augusta Bay. The success of this operation was insured and the path to future forward moves cleared by the air assaults on Bonis and Buka airfields thereby reducing enemy airfields in the entire Solomons Area to impotency and making them untenable for enemy operations. General Twining’s personal efforts, planning, administration, and execution of offensive air power were primarily responsible for the cessation of organized enemy air resistance in the Solomons area. Major General Twining was relieved by Major General Mitchell, U.S.M.C., who assumed command of Air, Solomons, 20 November 1943. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Twining and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.