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 Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Merlin L. DeGuire (ASN: 0-19446), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from July 1954 to 31 December 1962. [This award supersedes award of the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service from 14 July 1954 to 21 June 1957 as announced in General Orders Number 30, Headquarters, U.S. Army Ordnance Corps, Redstone Arsenal, dated 21 June 1957 and award of the Army Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for meritorious service from 19 August 1957 to 11 October 1958 as announced in General Orders Number 250, Headquarters, U.S. Army Advisory Group, Korea, dated 9 October 1958.]