The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Richard Starr Craighill (NSN: 71460/1100), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as Director, Politico-Military Policy Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, from June 1963 to July 1964 and subsequently as Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (Plans and Policy) until August 1964. As Director, Politico-Military Policy Division, he originated recommendations which resulted in the successful conclusion of negotiations of great importance to the United States providing for the basing of Polaris submarines at Holy Lochy, Scotland, and Rota, Spain. As Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (Plans and Policy), he regularly acted as the Navy principal at the Tuesday meetings of the “Operations Deputies” of Joint Chiefs of Staff. During his tenure, the agenda for these meetings increased substantially both in the number and importance of matters presented for resolution. Decisions made by him in concert with the other Services were treated as agreed decisions of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Rear Admiral Craighill at all times displayed a superb understanding of the manifold requirements of national security, acted with the finest of judgment in matters of great sensitivity and importance, and was outstanding in his performance as an independent spokesman and decision maker for the Navy. His significant accomplishments reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
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U.S.S. Drayton (DD-366)Action Date:
December 26, 1943
Board Serial 921 (March 10, 1947)The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Commander Richard Starr Craighill (NSN: 71460/1100), United States Navy, for meritorious service as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. DRAYTON (DD-366) in action against enemy Japanese forces off Cape Gloucester, on 26 December 1943. When an overwhelming force of approximately thirty-five dive bombers and sixty fighters attacked a friendly destroyer group during patrol operations, Commander Craighill succeeded in maneuvering his ship undamaged through the hazardous area despite two near misses that straddled and shook his craft and, opening fire from the DRAYTON, effected the destruction of three Japanese dive bombers. By his professional skill, leadership and devotion to duty, Commander Craighill upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Craighill is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Legion of Merit
Board Serial 4453 (June 19, 1967)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 Rear Admiral Richard Starr Craighill (NSN: 71460/1100), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Caribbean Sea Frontier; Commander, Antilles Defense Command; and Commandant TENTH Naval District. Exercising outstanding professional skill and resourcefulness, Rear Admiral Craighill was responsible in large measure for the marked success of the transition of services from Army to Navy during the deactivation of the Antilles Command, U.S. Army Southern Command. As a result of his exemplary leadership and untiring efforts, a multi-million dollar expansion and improvement of the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Range is now underway. Through his initiative and foresight, he made possible the smooth transfer and closure of the Naval Station, Trinidad, securing maximum benefits for the United States Government. In addition, Rear Admiral Craighill was instrumental in improving harbor facilities at the U.S. Naval Station, Roosevelt Roads and Vieques Island; in the successful accomplishment of the extremely important mission of VIEQUES SALVOPS for the United States; in arranging airlifts of construction materials to rehabilitate homes in Martinique/Guadeloupe areas damaged by Hurricane INEZ in 1966; and in the success of SPRINGBOARD operations and of Exercise CLOVE HITCH III. By his outstanding leadership, sound judgment and inspiring devotion to duty, Rear Admiral Craighill upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
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U.S.S. Drayton (DD-366)Action Date:
December 5, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Richard Starr Craighill (NSN: 71460/1100), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. DRAYTON (DD-366), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Southwest Pacific War Area on 5 December 1944. When his ship was subjected to enemy air attacks, Commander Craighill directed the delivery of a high volume of effective gun fire from all available weapons and, by his skillful ship-handling and courageous control of fire damage, saved the DRAYTON from almost certain destruction and, at the same time, contributed materially to the defense of the Task Unit. His inspiring leadership and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.