The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Samuel Joseph Wilson, United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. He was sent from Corregidor in February 1942 on a special Naval Intelligence mission to the Southern Philippine Islands. He declined to accept the surrender order and engaged in the development of guerrilla activities on Mindanao, During the period from September 1943 to June 1944, while serving as Commanding Officer of the U.S. Naval Advanced Radio Station at Mindanao, he was responsible for coordinating the development of coast watcher positions and procedure and the reporting of information on enemy Naval movements through the Philippine waters. His services in this respect, involving extreme and constant hazards, contributed directly and immeasurably to the success of our operations in the Southwest Pacific Area. His leadership was at all times an integral part of the resistance movement in the Philippines. This devotion to duty, reflected great credit upon him and was in accordance with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States. (Commander Wilson is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)