The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit (Posthumously) to Major General Archer Lynn Lerch (ASN: 0-6973), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Provost Marshall of the United States Army from January to June 1945.