USS Laffey (DD-724)

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the

UNITED STATES SHIP LAFFEY 

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

“For extraordinary heroism in action as a Picket Ship on Radar Picket Station Number One during an attack by approximately thirty enemy Japanese planes, thirty miles northwest of the northern tip of Okinawa, April 16, 1945. Fighting her guns valiantly against waves of hostile suicide planes plunging toward her from all directions, the U.S.S. LAFFEY set up relentless barrages of antiaircraft fire during an extremely heavy and concentrated air attack. Repeatedly finding her targets, she shot down eight enemy planes clear of the ship and damaged six more before they crashed on board. Struck by two bombs, crash-dived by suicide planes and frequently strafed, she withstood the devastating blows unflinchingly and, despite severe damage and heavy casualties, continued to fight effectively until the last plane had been driven off. The courage, superb seamanship and indomitable determination of her officers and men enabled the LAFFEY to defeat the enemy against almost insurmountable odds, and her brilliant performance in this action, reflects the highest credit upon herself and the United States Naval Service.”

For the President,

/s/ James Forrestal
Secretary of the Navy

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION to

COMMANDER SIXTH FLEET
(Units Participating in Contingency Operations in the Eastern Mediterranean)

for service set forth in the following 

CITATION:

"For meritorious service while participating in contingency operations in the Eastern Mediterranean from 9 September to 31 October 1970. As elements of the United States SIXTH Fleet, these units contributed significantly to the effectiveness, mobility, and success of Fleet operations which were vital toward maintaining peace in the Mediterranean area. Through their continuous display of ingenuity, resourcefulness, and professionalism, and their long hours of arduous effort and other personal sacrifices, the officers and men of the SIXTH Fleet units participating in contingency operations in the Eastern Mediterranean reflected great credit upon themselves and their units and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

For the Secretary,

E. R. Zumwalt, Jr.

Admiral, United States Navy
Chief of Naval Operations