The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander (CEC) Wilfred L. Painter, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 7 May 1943 to 31 July 1943. As Construction Engineer on the staff of Commander Aircraft, South Pacific Force, Commander Painter’s foresight and engineering skill in constructing advanced air bases in the Solomon Islands made it possible for our fighter squadrons to keep pace with our troops. While New Georgia was still in Japanese hands, he explored the island and surveyed a site for an airfield so that all preliminary work was completed when our troops moved in. Within 11 days he had the field in shape for emergency landing, and within a month it could accommodate two fighter squadrons.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain (CEC) Wilfred L. Painter, United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Airfield Engineer in the Solomon Islands area from 1 November to 15 December 1943. Captain Painter exercised great ability and sound judgment in planning and supervising the development of airfields at Empress Augusta Bay. He contributed materially to the establishment of a beachhead on a Japanese stronghold and to the subsequent success of our operations in this area.