The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pride in presenting the Legion of Merit (Posthumously) to Colonel (Medical Corps) Thomas E. Patton, Jr., United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from August 1954 to May 1963. [This award supersedes the posthumous award of the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service from 22 January 1959 to 24 May 1963, as announced in General Orders Number 46, Headquarters, U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Lawton, dated 17 June 1963.]