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 Colonel George Brenner Simler (ASN: 0-791733), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 1 July 1956 to 30 June 1957, as Commander, 355th Fighter Group, McGhee-Tyson Airport, Knoxville, Tennessee. Throughout Colonel Simler’s tenure of command, his outstanding attributes of leadership, ability and selfless devotion to duty were consistently displayed in all phases of operations. In maintaining an exceptionally high degree of operational capability, the accomplishments of his organization were significantly demonstrated by such highly important characteristics as a very low AOCP/ANTE rate; the attainment of 100% operational ready status for all F-86D pilots; the qualifying of both squadrons for the Air Defense Command “A” Award and the continuance of an enviable flying safety record. The singularly distinctive contributions of Colonel Simler to the security of the nation reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.




