The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander Robert Allen Joseph English (NSN: 0-57546), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in connection with the preparations of plans for the amphibious invasion of the Island of Sicily during World War II. Commander English, as War Planning Officer on the Staff of the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Northwest African Waters, was responsible for the preparation of the plans for the employment of Allied Naval Forces in the Sicilian invasion. Although allowed only a minimum of time in which to accomplish this important duty, he, without thought of his own personal welfare, worked day and night, and thereby succeeded in preparing complete plans which were thorough and sound, and which were a vital and major contribution to the success of the naval forces in establishing the U.S. Army forces in Sicily, and successfully maintaining them there in the face of air and ground attacks by enemy forces. The outstanding efficiency, professional perfection, and exceptional devotion to duty displayed by Commander English were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Robert Allen Joseph English (NSN: 0-57546), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as War Plans Officer on the staff of a Naval Task Force Commander prior to and during the amphibious invasion of Italy, September 1943. Throughout the planning stages, Captain English exhibited outstanding professional skill and untiring energy in developing sound and comprehensive plans for the execution of a major amphibious assault on selected beaches in the Gulf of Salerno and the subsequent maintenance of the assaulting forces. The effective coordination of these plans with the Allied military, naval and air services involved required the utmost tact, self-confidence and meticulous attention to detail which he exercised to the highest degree in his dealings with the various staffs of the forces assigned. In carrying out the planned action, Captain English, by his expert knowledge and sound advice, greatly assisted the Task Force Commander in meeting all exigencies arising from the conduct of operations on such a vast scale and against determined enemy resistance and thereby contributed materially to the success of the invasion. The extraordinary ability, perseverance, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Captain English reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.