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 Commander James Francis Calvert (NSN: 0-165440), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SKATE (SS(N)-578), during her SECOND Arctic cruise, 4 Mary to 6 April 1959, and during the meticulous preparations therefore. Commander Calvert, by his intimate knowledge of the Arctic and his great professional competence, guided SKATE for over 3,000 miles during her twelve days of under ice operations. The SKATE, under the capable leadership of Commander Calvert, surfaced through the ice ten times in the dead of the Arctic winger, once at the geographic North Pole, demonstrating the practicability of year around Arctic submarine operations. As Commanding Officer of SKATE, Commander Calvert conceived, evaluated, and refined ship-handling techniques for under ice operations and surfacings. SKATE, under his command, gathered hydrographic information about the Arctic which will prove invaluable in future Arctic submarine operations. By his forceful and convincing arguments, Commander Calvert has emphasized continually the importance of the Arctic to the United States as an area of operations and the necessity for reorienting our thinking to include this vast frozen area as one of the principal frontiers between the United States and Eurasia. Commander Calvert’s outstanding performance of duty, his dynamic leadership, and personal example are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander James Francis Calvert (NSN: 0-165440), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SKATE (SS(N)-578), from 9 August to 21 August 1958. Commander Calvert exhibited outstanding courage, skilled seamanship and judgment by obtaining scientific and operational information of tremendous value to the United States. On 9 August 1958, Commander Calvert took his ship into the unknown reaches of the Arctic Ocean beneath the polar ice pack, proceeding for 2,405 miles under the ice. In surfacing in nine separate polynyas, which required the utmost planning, fine ship control and a thorough study of the Arctic Area, SKATE provided the first essential quantitative information on techniques necessary to utilize the Arctic Ocean’s great strategic values. SKATE reached the North Pole on 12 August 1958 and surfaced nearby. Commander Calvert then took his ship some 300 miles beyond the Pole and by the most skillful navigation located, from beneath, the U.S. International Geophysical Year ice drift station named ALFA. He surfaced his ship at the drift station, demonstrating for the first time that activities on the ice surface in the most inaccessible part of the Arctic Ocean could be supported by submarines. His conduct, leadership, and devotion to duty have enhanced the prestige of the United States and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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 Commander James Francis Calvert (NSN: 0-165440), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. SKATE (SS(N)-578), during a period in 1959. Commander Calvert performed his duty in an altogether exceptional manner, resulting in the accomplishment of services of the highest value to the United States Navy. His superior planning and organizational ability were essential in the execution of a complex and hazardous mission of great importance. His exceptional professional judgment, skill and leadership enabled him to command his ship so as to accomplish his task in a most successful manner to the great benefit of the United States. His performance of duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.