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 Rear Admiral Richard Lansing Conolly, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Group Commander of the amphibious forces of the Pacific Fleet during 1944. Admiral Conolly brought the officers, men and ships of his command to a high state of combat readiness in preparation for our assault on the island of Guam. He led the determined armada into dangerous, enemy-controlled waters where he unleashed the full power of his force in a furious onslaught which crushed the enemy’s fanatical resistance and annihilated the objective in a minimum of time.

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 Rear Admiral Richard Lansing Conolly, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as an attack group commander during the Leyte operation and as commander of a task group during the Lingayen Gulf operation during World War II. An inspiring and resolute leader, after organizing, loading and rehearsing his attack group, he landed troops of the 7th Infantry Division and directed the expeditious unloading of the division’s equipment and stores. Commanding a reinforcement group scheduled to support the Lingayen Gulf operation, he rapidly assembled miscellaneous transports and LSTs from scattered ports and transported infantry troops from Noemfoor and Noumea to the Gulf. His brilliant organizational and administrative abilities and his effective control of the operations of ships under his command were important factors in the successful invasion and capture of these islands.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Richard Lansing Conolly, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander of a naval attack against Kwajalein Atoll during World War II. Admiral Conolly showed brilliant initiative and sound judgment in directing training and preparation of troops and ships and in formulating plans for the assault.