WASHINGTON, D.C. (Aug. 24, 2007) – During a public ceremony on board the Washington Navy Yard, U. S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations Michael Mullen awards the Legion of Merit to Fleet Admiral Vladimir Vasilyevich (Masorin), Commander in Chief Russian Federation Navy on behalf of the President of the United States. The President of the United States awarded the Legion of Merit for Fleet Admiral Masorin's exceptionally meritorious service from Sept., 2005 – Aug., 2007. His energy and vision were essential to increasing cooperation and interoperability with the U.S. Navy and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Under his leadership the Russian Federation Navy participated in Active Endeavor, a NATO maritime counterterrorism operation in the Mediterranean Sea. He consistently advocated continued Russian participation in the joint and combined Military exercises including BALTOPS, Northern Eagle FRUKUS and Pacific Eagle. With a keen appreciation for the importance and understanding Fleet Admiral Masorin has been a strong proponent of an expanding program for reciprocal port visits in the US and Russia. In 2006, five U.S. Navy ships visited four Russian ports and Three Russian ships made successful visits to Guam. Ensuring closer bi-lateral cooperation between both countries naval leaderships and naval staffs, his efforts were pivotal to a growing partnership.

This is the first visit by a Russian Federation Navy Commander-in-Chief in eleven years.