The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Hoyt U. Bookhart, Jr. (MCSN: 0-6160), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander East Coast Island Defense Unit during combat operations against enemy North Korean and Chinese Communist Forces in the Korean Theater from 20 March 1953 to 27 July 1953. Lieutenant Colonel Bookhart performed his duties as Task Unit Commander, Wonsan Harbor, in a highly efficient manner. During this period, his Task Unit came under intense enemy shore battery fire almost daily. Being responsible for the defense of the islands in Wonsan Harbor, he coordinated the efforts of the friendly held islands with a limited number of personnel and with minimum equipment. Through his keen foresight, sound judgment and initiative, he planned and directed the operations of his command in such a manner as to deliver a maximum of counterbattery fire, while at the same time maintaining effective defense measures to repel a possible invasion by enemy forces. By his untiring efforts and complete understanding of the problems of the operating forces, he converted high level, broad operating plans into comprehensive detailed plans which enabled all units under his command to perform their combat operations against the enemy with maximum effectiveness. His outstanding skill and professional competence were of invaluable assistance to the Task Force Commander and contributed directly to the conclusion of the conflict against the communist aggressor in North Korea. His exceptionally meritorious conduct and steadfast devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Bookhart is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)