Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Vice Admiral (Retired) William Satterlee Pye (NSN: 3794), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as President of the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, from 2 November 1942 until 2 March 1946, and as Commandant, Naval Operating Base, Newport, Rhode Island, from 2 November 1942 until 1 July 1944. The supervision of the Naval War College and the Command of the Naval Operating Base was a dual task of unusual severity due to an intensified and accelerated course of study at the Naval War College and due to the general stress of wartime activity at the Naval Operating Base. Vice Admiral Pye by his sound judgment, initiative and untiring efforts maintained both the Naval War College and the Naval Operating Base during the critical war time period, upon high levels of operating efficiency. Realizing the necessity of furnishing large numbers of officers trained in the fundamental concepts of Naval warfare and in the exercise of command, Vice Admiral Pye designated and established the wartime Command and Preparatory Staff Courses at the Naval War College. Under his able leadership over 600 Naval Officers received advanced training in these streamlined courses and their services were a distinct contribution to the ultimate triumph of our victorious fleet. Under the supervision of Vice Admiral Pye in his capacity as Commandant of the Naval Operating Base, the major function of the Naval Training Station was changed, in the early months of 1944 from that of training thousands of enlisted personnel, integrating them into efficient operating teams for our powerful fighting units afloat. A large share of the credit for the success of the pre-commissioning program was due to the untiring and careful attention of Vice Admiral Pye in its establishment and during the formative stages of its development. Vice Admiral Pye’s outstanding professional attainments, his loyalty and patriotism, and his ideals of service have been an example and inspiration to all, both staff and student body who were fortunate enough to be associated with him at either the Naval War College or the Naval Operating Base.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    Atlantic Fleet

    Action Date:

    World War I

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander William Satterlee Pye (NSN: 3794), United States Navy, for exceptionally distinguished and valuable service on the Staff of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, in addition to excellent performance of his routine staff duties in preparing a series of orders for the conduct of battleship and fleet, based upon the best thought and experience of the United States fleet and British fleet during the late war.