The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant (ChC) William W. Lumpkin, United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Division Chaplain of the SECOND Marine Division from 3 October 1942 to 7 March 1944. Lieutenant Lumpkin performed duties outside the field of religion and assisted in athletics and other recreation. At Tarawa he recovered and identified the bodies of many men and provided burials at sea for men who became casualties in the initial phase of the operation. After going ashore he worked tirelessly directing the burial of the dead.