The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander William J. Ritchter, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while commanding a mine division in the Pacific area during World War II. Commander Richter operated at night without the use of visual or radio signals and conducted the laying of one defensive and three offensive mine fields quickly and accurately. The successful completion of these missions was largely responsible for the inability of Japanese garrisons to receive reinforcements and supplies.