The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander William H. Standley, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as training officer on the staff of Commander Landing Craft and Bases, Amphibious Force, Northwest African Waters, during the Invasion of Italy in July 1943. Commander Standley prepared the landing attack plan and indoctrinated personnel so that the assault forces landed exactly on schedule at the beaches of Salerno despite continuous attacks by enemy aircraft.