The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Chief Quartermaster John A. Deal, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the occupation of French Morocco, 8 – 11 November 1942. During the occupation of North Africa and while his ship was engaged in combat with hostile surface forces off Casablanca, Chief Quartermaster Deal took over the duties of navigator while three of the ship’s officers were commanding crews aboard prize ships. He displayed outstanding skill in handling many important bridge details, enabling his Commanding Officer to direct fire upon the hostile vessels.