The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Byron W. Philip, United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of LCT Group 27 prior to and during the landings in the Anzio-Nettuno area in January 1944. Lieutenant Philip trained the units of his group with great efficiency and thoroughness. Following the assault in which his units successfully carried out all assignments, he supervised for three weeks the unloading of follow-up shipping, the evacuation of casualties and the shuttling of supplies to serve the needs of the assault forces.