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 Henry Stone Monroe (NSN: 0-72455/1100), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from April 1967 to April 1968 as Commander Amphibious Training Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet. During this period, Rear Admiral Monroe provided outstanding assistance in connection with the high state of training readiness of Amphibious Force personnel to meet contingencies. The important part played by Navy riverine and coastal patrol forces within Vietnam is witness to the expeditious development and implementation of radically new training programs to meet new in-country requirements. Rear Admiral Monroe contributed greatly to revival in the U.S. Navy of the capability of conducting warfare in the rivers and inland waterways. The almost instant success enjoyed in Vietnam by the patrol boats (GAME WARDEN) and the Mobile Riverine Force is due evidence of the value of the training programs developed under his guidance and direction. Rear Admiral Monroe’s exceptional insight into the logistics associated with training in-country replacement personnel has resulted in many improvements in outfitting and equipment issue procedures and with related monetary savings. Through his superb leadership ability and professional competence, Rear Admiral Monroe has integrated the efforts of his subordinate commands into a cohesive force and instilled in these forces a new awareness of our goal in support of military operations in Vietnam. His performance of duty 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 the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Henry Stone Monroe (NSN: 0-72455/1100), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from October 1964 to March 1967 as Commander Amphibious Training Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Exercising outstanding leadership and resourcefulness, Rear Admiral Monroe assumed command at a time of rapid expansion of missions in training functions for personnel en route to duty in Southeast Asia/Vietnam operations. Responsible for executing counterinsurgency training following broad guidelines set forth by the Chief of Naval Operations, he formed, advised and guided a Counterinsurgency Study Group appointed to study ways and means to implement this specialized training, resulting in the Navy’s first formal course of instruction in this field, since proven of immeasurable benefit to personnel serving in Vietnam. When his command was tasked with the development of a concept of riverine warfare and the training of naval personnel therefore, Rear Admiral Monroe regulated the efforts of a committee through weeks of intensive study which culminated in the translation of their ideas and experience into a complete training program. He was directly responsible for the success of the initial phase of this program. Aware of the limitations of existing training and logistic facilities to pursue expanded training requirements, he supervised studies to develop methods of increasing the Amphibious Training Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet capabilities to meet commitments and absorb additional training tasks, resulting in improved management of existing resources and expansion of training capabilities to meet all foreseeable contingencies. Rear Admiral Monroe’s outstanding professional competence and resourceful leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.