The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Charles Adams Baker (NSN: 0-9630), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the Battleship U.S.S. TEXAS (BB-35), in action supporting the landing on and occupation of Okinawa and Ie Shima in the Nansei Shoto from 25 March to 14 May 1945. Though operating in waters known to have been mined in the presence of coast defense guns and under repeated attack by enemy air force and constant threat of enemy suicide weapons, Captain Baker handled his ship with such great skill and resourcefulness that it was able to inflict great damage on enemy installations. By inspiring leadership and tireless vigilance he kept his ship at a peak of operational efficiency in spite of the difficulties involved in such a task in a ship of the TEXAS Class under long operational strain. His resourcefulness and courageous leadership and his devotion to duty reflect credit not only upon himself but also upon the United States Naval Service. (Captain Baker is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)