The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Leo Hewlett Thebaud (NSN: 0-8274), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BOISE (CL-47) during the amphibious assault on the Island of Sicily. The BOISE, during the amphibious assault on Sicily 10 July to 12 July 1943, was assigned the highly important task of bombarding enemy shore positions and of supporting the landing and initial advance of U.S. Army troops. Captain Thebaud by his aggressive leadership, sound judgment and skillful maneuvering of his ship carried out his mission with outstanding effectiveness, thereby contributing greatly to the success of the invasion. The extraordinary ability and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Captain Thebaud reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. (Captain Thebaud is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

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 with Combat “V” to Captain Leo Hewlett Thebaud (NSN: 0-8274), 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 U.S.S. BOISE (CL-47), during the amphibious assault on the west coast of Italy. Captain Thebaud with outstanding leadership, initiative and courage so fought his ship in the Gulf of Salerno from 12 September through 16 September 1943, that the fire support delivered by the group, of which the BOISE was a unit, enabled the Allied assault troops to maintain their beachheads against determined enemy counter-attacks. By skillful ship-handling and sound judgment he operated his ship in enemy mined waters, often under artillery fire and air attack, so effectively that heavy damage was inflicted on the enemy, causing his withdrawal to interior positions and thereby materially contributing to the success of the invasion. The extraordinary ability, sound judgment, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Captain Thebaud reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. (Captain Thebaud is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit (Army Award) to Captain Leo Hewlett Thebaud (NSN: 0-8274), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during U.S. Navy operations in support of the United States 7th Army from 8 August to 14 August 1943. As Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BOISE (CL-47), Captain Thebaud played a prominent part in the planning and execution of the amphibious landings behind the enemy lines in Sicily. The direction of supporting naval gunfire and the high order of seamanship displayed by Captain Thebaud contributed materially to the rapid advance of the 7th Army along the northern coast of Sicily.