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oe NT Service Award -- the highest honorary civilian award within the authority of the MSTS commander. 26. The branch had never taken action either to clear him or to convict him of serious charges, and the high commendation he received casts doubt not only on the validity of other WH/4 recommendations for merit citations but also on the quality of personnel management in the project. Peculiar Organization 27. The organization for controlling clandestine maritime operations was peculiar. The forward operating base in Miami bad the responsibility for small boat operations but could not run eny without Headquarters approval. It was seldom that Headquarters had any query or refused to give approval. 28. But the Miami Base did not have the equipment and experience that were needed. For a long time the docking facilities were inadequate. The desirability of having a base at Key West was recognized as early as November 1960, but this base was not established until mid-February. It was insufficiently staffed and had a great many cover, security and administrative problems on which it received little assistance. At first it was under the direction of the Miami paramilitary section; eventually it was placed under the chief of the Miami Base.