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 George Mervyn Hampton (ASN: 0-2205293), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period 15 May 1969 to 28 February 1971, while serving as Branch Chief, Organization Directorate, United States Army Combat Developments Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. His ideas and organizational techniques were vital to development of the new Surface-to-Air Missile System, the Tactical Operations System, the Strike Command Air Defense Artillery Battalion, and the Chaparral/Vulcan Battalion. His encyclopedic knowledge of air defense, his perseverance, and his personal leadership made him invaluable for efficiently accomplishing both routine and urgent actions. Lieutenant Colonel Hampton’s achievements in combat developments are the culmination of a distinguished military career during which he has commanded infantry in combat and air defense units in Europe and the United States. His service reflects great credit upon himself, the United States Army Combat Developments Command, and the military service.