The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander William Bollay (NSN: 0-76393), United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, during the period from 2 October 1941 to 29 August 1944, while serving as officer in charge of jet propulsion and gas turbine development in Power Plant Design Branch, Bureau of Aeronautics program on new, unorthodox aircraft power plants of great importance. Through his prodigious personal efforts, his superb technical and scientific knowledge and his unerring good judgment he has contributed greatly to the development of entirely new aircraft power plants to an entire industry. His services contributed substantially to the war effort and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.