The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Thomas R. Kurtz, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving consecutively as Assistant Director for Production of the National Security Agency, and as Director, U.S. Naval Security Group, from August 1958 to 23 August 1963. His accomplishments, most of which are highly classified, have resulted in vital and continuing improvements in the Cryptologic field. In directing the Naval Security Group, Rear Admiral Kurtz exhibited keen judgment, foresight, and knowledge which contributed significantly to the operations of the Navy, and to the National Defense effort.