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 (Veterinary Corps) Fred D. Maurer, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from December 1945 to July 1964. [This award supersedes award of the Army Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for meritorious service from 1 January 1959 to 7 June 1961 as announced in General Orders Number 26, Headquarters, Office of the Surgeon General, Department of the Army, dated August 1961.]