The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral James Lemuel Holloway, III, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as the Director of the Strike Warfare Division from March 1969 to July 1970 and as Coordinator of the Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Program from February 1968 to July 1970 in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. In these capacities, Rear Admiral Holloway constantly demonstrated superb leadership and the keenest management competence in a broad spectrum of matters related to the strike warfare readiness of the Fleets and the Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier program. He coordinated the programming, design, acquisition and construction of new nuclear carriers, and was the driving force behind the plan for acquiring three nuclear carriers as a “package.” Rear Admiral Holloway’s sound judgment and understanding of requirements were instrumental in maintaining maximum readiness in the Fleets while achieving directed force reductions. His articulate presentations to Congressional Committees, the Press and the American public were instrumental in improved public understanding of the modern Navy and the role of the aircraft carrier. As a dedicated advocate of nuclear-powered surface ships, he played a key role in the development of the present Navy position on nuclear power. With exceptional foresight, he directed improvements in planning and programming leading to a modernized and balanced fleet. Rear Admiral Holloway’s sustained superior performance and distinguished leadership reflected great credit upon himself 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 Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral James Lemuel Holloway, III, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander SEVENTH Fleet from May 1972 to August 1973 during combat operations in Southeast Asia. Vice Admiral Holloway demonstrated astute professional resourcefulness in extending the scope of SEVENTH Fleet operations while continuing to conduct combat operations in support of U.S. objectives in Southeast Asia. He directed the planning and execution of numerous combat operations following the North Vietnamese invasion of the Republic of Vietnam that required detailed coordination and short-notice execution. These efforts contributed significantly to United States combat operations in Southeast Asia, culminating in an honorable ceasefire on 27 January 1973. Under Vice Admiral Holloway’s guidance, the SEVENTH Fleet transition from combat operations to an excellent state of combat readiness in support of United States policy proceeded effectively. Planning was coordinated for operations executed with allied forces ranging from the Northern Pacific to the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean. Vice Admiral Holloway’s superb performance of duty reflected great credit upon himself and was 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 Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral [then Rear Admiral] James Lemuel Holloway, III, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander Task Force 60/Commander Task Group 60.1 from 27 August to 7 October 1970, and as Commander Task Group 60.3 from 8 October to 1 November 1970. During September and October 1970, events in the Middle East endangering U.S. citizens required urgent and unusually complex contingency planning by Vice Admiral Holloway soon after he assumed command of task Force 60. With exceptionally sound judgment and ingenuity, he responded imaginatively in supervising the planning for and directing the movement of Sixth Fleet units to the Eastern Mediterranean for a wide range of possible contingency operations. His expert management of personnel and material resources, coupled with his incisive appraisal of situations of vital national and international import, resulted in an extremely effective performance by United States Naval units. The exemplary ability of Vice Admiral Holloway to supervise the performance of several important tasks concurrently, including a successful visit by the President of the United States to the SIXTH Fleet during the crisis period, attests to his superior professional competence in areas of great responsibility. By his exceptional dedication, leadership and professional competence, Vice Admiral Holloway reflected great credit upon himself and the SIXTH Fleet, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.