The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander James Gilbert Marshall (NSN: 0-71343), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, U.S.S. DUPONT, while engaged in action against an enemy submarine during 12 – 13 December 1943. Proceeding immediately to the scene of an airplane sighting of an enemy submarine, the U.S.S. DUPONT made contact with the enemy shortly after arriving in the area. Holding continuous contact for seven hours, Commander Marshall delivered several underwater attacks which resulted in severe damage to the enemy. Following the loss of contact after a total of twenty individual and coordinated attacks had been made, Commander Marshall participated in prolonged search and hold down operations which prevented the damaged enemy from escaping on the surface. As a result of the damage inflicted by the series of attacks and the restricting of the enemy to the immediate area by prompt, aggressive action taken during the night when the U-Boat attempted to surface, the submarine, unable to escape, was later relocated, attacked and destroyed. Commander Marshall’s aggressiveness, zeal, and determination in attacking and searching for the enemy during two days of intensive operations were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Marshall is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)