Criteria The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 r... The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 required four years of service. MoreHide
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Criteria The Sea Service Deployment Ribbon is awarded to members of the Navy and Marine Corps assigned to U.S. homeported (including Hawaii and Alaska) ships, deploying units, or Fleet Marine Force commands, f... The Sea Service Deployment Ribbon is awarded to members of the Navy and Marine Corps assigned to U.S. homeported (including Hawaii and Alaska) ships, deploying units, or Fleet Marine Force commands, for 12 months accumulated sea duty, or for duty with the Fleet Marine Force that includes at least one deployment of 90 consecutive days. MoreHide
In 1966, the Navy created Task Force 157 (sometimes Pentagon's Spies) as a covert division to control their clandestine intelligence operations, specifically human intelligence operations (HUMINT).[1] This covert unit was reformed in 1977, leading to multiple reconstruction attempts, finally ending with the formation of the United States Special Operations command (USSOCOM).
Task Force 157, during the time of its operations, was the United States military's only network of undercover agents that operated abroad using business cover for their operations.[2] The major functions and duties of Task Force 157 involved Soviet vessel movement and nuclear weapon shipments around the world. It also recruited foreign intelligence service agents to infiltrate their respective foreign agencies. The majority of its operating areas are declassified, including, Europe and the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific and the Far East; however, some of the operations are still classified.[3] Task Force 157 was valuable to the United States government because it was able to operate independently, with accuracy, swiftness and extreme secrecy. The Pentagon found it difficult to maintain control over the agents involved with Task Force 157, and because of this reason, it was disestablished in 1977. The United States government wanted to pursue a clandestine operation unit that was more manageable, but at the same time was able to carry out operations at the same standard as Task Force 157. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) failed to fully absorb the missions and agents from Task Force 157; instead, they were spread among the CIA, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Army, Air Force, and Task Force 168.[4] In 1981, the United States Army created the Intelligence Support Activity (ISA) to conduct clandestine operations, and to support military operations.[1] In 1989, only eight years after ISA was established, the United States military terminated the unit and established the USSOCOM.
Achievements
A 1973 declassified activity update outlined the achievements of Task Force 157 from its creation date, to 1973. It was reported that the covert unit issued over 8,000 intelligence reports, with the information being classified as great or moderate value.[3] The human source intelligence report lists the following statistics based on analyst evaluations of one-quarter of the intelligence reports:[3]
72% of the reports were of great or moderate value
93% of the reports contained intelligence that was being reported for the first time
87% of the reports contained valid information
That same year, Task Force 157 identified two crucial choke points in Europe in regards to Soviet warship and merchant vessel movements. During this time, the unit recorded over 20,000 ships, while producing over 40,000 pictures of those ships. This intelligence collection allowed the United States government to have a better understanding of Soviet intentions and relations in Europe and the Arab Nations.[3] During this time, Task Force 157 was able to collect intercepted communications, then translate and report them to the proper agencies. Another major achievement that was reported in the human source intelligence report summarized Iraqi and Soviet naval activities in the Persian Gulf in relation to seaborne arms shipments.
In 1974, a similar declassified activity update explained that production from Task Force 157 had "increased dramatically" over the last four years (1970-1974).[5] Operations during this time had foci in the Leningrad area, Black Sea Ports, Kola Inlet and Soviet involved in the Far East. Members of Task Force 157 were able to enter China and North Korea "nearly 100 times".[5] The purpose of these missions was to collect information, pictures, and any other products of collection of Communist China and North Korean ship construction and naval order of battle. A new Chinese missile-equipped patrol boat was discovered, photographed, and confirmed. Task Force 157 agents were also able to confirm the first North Korean guided missile boat constructed entirely in North Korea.[5]
Don Nielsen, the commander of Task Force 157, wrote a memo to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in 1975 to dissuade him from dissolving Task Force 157.[6] The purpose of this memo was to offer a solution to the decision to dissolve Task Force 157, and to ensure that the DNI was in full possession of the facts. Nielsen explains that he is in shock that the DNI considered disestablishing the leader in Defense clandestine collection. He also explains that cutting Task Force 157 from the Navy will remove any chances of creating a similar task force in the future. Nielsen describes the units actions as irreplaceable because of the unique methods of collection by unconventional means. Task Force 157 was able to avoid traditional government elicitation techniques by relying on commercial and business operations. Nielsen also highlights the amount of resources, projects, and manpower that would have to be transferred to other portions of the Navy, consistently stating that the reallocation of assets would be more wasteful.[6]
Woodward, Bob; story, Washington Post Staff Writer; Ben Weiser also contributed to this; Woodward, Bob; story, Washington Post Staff Writer; Ben Weiser also contributed to this (18 May 1977). "Pentagon to Abolish Secret Spy Unit" – via washingtonpost.com.
Criteria
The unit citation of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was awarded certain units by the Vietnamese government for meritorious service during the period 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1974.
Criteria The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal may be awarded to service members who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievem... The Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal may be awarded to service members who, while serving in any capacity with the Navy or Marine Corps, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement or meritorious service (but not of sufficient nature to warrant a higher decoration). MoreHide
Comments
"FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE FROM 20 AUGUST 1970 to 25 NOVEMBER 1971" Awarded by E. R. Zumwalt, Jr. Admiral, United States Navy Chief of Naval Operations
Criteria The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 r... The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 required four years of service. MoreHide
Criteria The Navy Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself by outstanding heroism in action against an enemy (but not suff... The Navy Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself by outstanding heroism in action against an enemy (but not sufficiently to justify the award of the Presidential Unit Citation). It may also be awarded to a unit that distinguishes itself by extremely meritorious service not involving combat (but in support of military operations), which renders that unit outstanding when compared to other units performing similar service. MoreHide
Description
FLEET INTELLIGENCE CENTER PACIFIC (FICPAC) IN SUPPORT OF UNITED STATES SEVENTH FLEET OPERATIONS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA FROM 1 APRIL 1967 to 30 SEPTEMBER 1969.
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical l... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces; or 3. Did not complete the length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during wartime, were: a. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released; or c. Killed in action or in the line of duty; or 4. Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. MoreHide
Criteria The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 r... The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 required four years of service. MoreHide
Criteria The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 r... The Navy Good Conduct Medal (NGCM) is a decoration presented by the United States Navy to recognize members who have completed three years of honorable service. Medals awarded before January 1, 1996 required four years of service. MoreHide
Chief Rousseau was the leading Chief of the Navigation/Administration Department USS MACDONOUGH (DDG-39)