The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain [then Commander] Ralph W. D. Woods, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Aviation Officer on the staff of an amphibious force commander prior to and during the landing operations in French Morocco, 8 – 11 November 1942. Captain Woods labored tirelessly in formulating vital plans and orders in preparation for the large-scale assault and contributed immeasurably to the success of our landings.