The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Fillmore Bolling Gilkeson (NSN: 0-78725/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service from August 1966 to June 1968 as Commander, U.S. Naval Base, Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. During this period, several naval activities comprising Subic Bay/Cubi Point base complex experienced unprecedented growth in response to rapidly expanding requirements in support of the SEVENTH Fleet and the continuous high levels of base loading. Exercising outstanding managerial skill, professional judgment, and foresight, Rear Admiral Gilkeson was responsible, in large measure, for ensuring that this dramatic growth was orderly and shaped responsively to the manifold needs of the operating forces supporting the U.S. effort in Southeast Asia. By his dedication to the principle of civic action and his constant personal assistance, together with his active participation and supervised distribution of Project HANDCLASP material, Rear Admiral Gilkeson has raised Filipino-American goodwill and accord in the Clongapo area to a new level. By his outstanding leadership, sound judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty, he has upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Fillmore Bolling Gilkeson (NSN: 0-78725/1310), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy on 4 May 1945, while in Command of an Air Group aboard an Escort Carrier during the Ryukyu Islands campaign. Lieutenant Commander Gilkeson displayed aggressive leadership and great personal courage when his ship was seriously damaged and set afire by enemy action. At the time of the initial explosion he was present on the forward end of the flight deck where he gathered and organized air group and ship’s personnel in an efficient fire-fighting team, which attacked the flames in spite of intense heat, smothering smoke and exploding ammunition. Later, on the hangar deck, he assisted actively in a very dangerous area, again exposed to peril from heat, smoke and exploding ammunition, He, in particular, incited men to more vigorous action by his complete disregard for his own safety. His efforts contributed materially to the saving of the ship. His courageous actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Board Serial 870 (June 17, 1970)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 Fillmore Bolling Gilkeson (NSN: 0-78725/1310), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service as Director, Logistics Plans Division of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations from July 1968 to April 1970. During a period of drastic reductions in Navy funds and force levels, Rear Admiral Gilkeson demonstrated outstanding competence, resourcefulness, and imaginative direction in planning the reduction and realignment of the Navy shore support structure, while at the same time insuring continued responsive logistic support of the operational forces. As Chairman of the Regional Planning Board assigned the project of developing a Southern California Regional Air Base Utilization Plan, Rear Admiral Gilkeson exercised exceptional professionalism in identifying and evaluating the serious airspace problems threatening successful air operations in the highly congested airspace of the Southern California area. He exhibited remarkable skill and acumen in handling joint service actions and in coordinating agreed positions with organizations outside of Navy. Through his wealth of experience, keen knowledge and skillful leadership Rear Admiral Gilkeson successfully guided study efforts in the research, evaluation and improvement of many logistic functions. A superb administrator, a forceful proponent of efficient resource utilization, and a strong advocate of effective productivity, he made major contributions toward perfecting logistics arrangements within the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. By virtue of his brilliant leadership, wise counsel, dedication and tireless efforts, Rear Admiral Gilkeson immeasurably enhanced Navy logistics plans and programs and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.