The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander Richard Rumel Bradley, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as Officer-in-Charge of the Drone Boat Unit and Commander Task Unit 1.1.3 during Operation CROSSROADS, from 26 April 1946 through 18 August 1946. With outstanding initiative, devotion to duty and professional and technical ability, Commander Bradley prepared operation plans, organized and successfully operated the Radio Controlled Drone Boat Unit which contributed technical information essential to the successful accomplishment of Operation CROSSROADS. The stringent time schedule imposed by the late decision to attempt to obtain radioactive water samples by means of radio-controlled boats made his task doubly hard. During a period of only five weeks, the operation plans were prepared, qualified personnel assembled, eight LCVP type landing craft modified to radio control, control equipment installed in APD U.S.S. BEGOR and an intensive training program was carried out prior to departure from the United States to Bikini Atoll. During both tests Able and Baker, the unqualified success of the heretofore untried operation testifies to the high degree technical ability, enthusiasm, vision and devotion to duty displayed by Commander Bradley throughout Operation CROSSROADS. His superior service and performance of duty contributed in large measure to the successful completion of Operation CROSSROADS and at all times were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.