The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Valentine Hixson Schaeffer, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of a United States Navy Aircraft Carrier during the occupation of the Mariana Islands and strikes against the Bonins and the Battle of the Philippine Sea during World War II. Captain Schaeffer directed his ship and air group against the enemy, accounting for over 50 enemy planes shot down and several small ships sunk and damaged.