The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Chief Gunner’s Mate George I. Mantere, United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as the leading petty officer to survive the sinking of the U.S.S. JUNEAU (CL-52), 13 November 1942. Chief Mantere swam to a floating net, unrolled it and paddled around rescuing other survivors. He unselfishly watched over the wounded for three days until unable to sit or lie down without pain, and transferred to a raft to help paddle toward shore. With many of the wounded swimming away or dying, the only surviving officer ill and the raft constantly circled by sharks he heroically continued his efforts to reach shore until the fifth day when planes appeared overhead and promised early rescue.