The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Major (Chaplain’s Corps) Joel M. Wareing, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States at New Georgia, Solomon Islands, from 18 July to 6 August 1943. Always at the forward echelon of a regimental command post and aid station and subjected many times to intense enemy fire, Chaplain Wareing worked tirelessly in administering to the wounded and the dying and in burying he dead. Until the arrival of a medical company, he worked under fire with the regimental surgeon in evacuating the wounded. So that the morale and fighting efficiency of the troops would not be lowered by the sight of their own dead strewn along a trail, Chaplain Wareing on 28 July risked the fire of enemy snipers and went forward between the advance guard and main body of a battalion to bury the men who had been killed in two days of action. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Chaplain Wareing and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.