Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    July 15, 1941 – June 2, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Willis H. Beltz (NSN: 0-59784), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period 15 July 1941 to 2 June 1944. Captain Beltz, while serving in the Bureau of Shipping as Assistant Officer-in-Charge of Shore and Radio Section, Officer-in-Charge of Shore Radio Section, and Officer-in-Charge of Shore Radio Group, successively, was personally responsible for (1) procuring from commercial sources, suitable low frequency, high power transmitting equipment with the minimum delay and for its installation which afforded reliable communication for the United States Fleets; (2) arranging for the procurement, distribution, and diversion of various types of radio equipment to Advance Bases, and organization of the Advance Base Section which efficiently handled such pertinent matters during the remainder of the War; (3) entering into negotiations with commercial communication companies and arranging for the immediate use of their facilities to supplement Naval communications thus providing the Fleet with the required channels of communication and resulting in a great savings of money and manpower. His performance of duty was outstanding, his initiative, ingenuity, resourcefulness, industry, and a constancy and devotion of duty were far in excess of that normally expected or demanded. His contrition to the successful prosecution of the War, especially during the initial period, was significant and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.