The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Herbert James Ray (NSN: 0-8639), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff in the SIXTEENTH Naval District at the outbreak of World War II. Captain Ray continuously performed duties of great responsibility during and after the bombing and destruction of Cavite Navy Yard on 10 December 1941. In the direction of fire fighting at Cavite, in the evacuation of personnel and material to Corregidor, and in the administration of Naval Facilities at Mariveles on Bataan Peninsula, he displayed courage and marked leadership. His close personal contact with the personnel of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron THREE and constant concern with their problems was an outstanding example of leadership and exceptional efficiency in his profession. During this entire period of great stress, he performed exceptionally meritorious service to the government in duties of great responsibility. Captain Ray was sent to Mariveles on 14 December to supervise the work there and Commander Grandfield temporarily assumed the duties of Chief of Staff. On completion of a reorganization at Mariveles, Captain Ray was ordered to Queen Tunnel Corregidor and resumed his duties as Chief of Staff. (Captain Ray is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commodore Herbert James Ray (NSN: 0-8639), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in Germany from 1 March 1945 to 20 December 1945. Commodore Ray distinguished himself by unusually meritorious accomplishments as Deputy Director of the Naval Division, U.S. Group Control Council for Germany, and later, as Deputy Naval Advisor to the Office of Military Government for Germany (U.S.), and as junior member of the Tri-Partite Naval Commission meeting in Berlin from 15 August 1945 until 8 December 1945. In this duty, he contributed in a high degree to the successful conclusion to the Tri-Partite Naval Commission. He was instrumental in coordinating the Naval work of the U.S. Group Control Council, and other divisions of the U.S. Group Control Council, and in coordinating the efforts of the four powers represented on the Naval Directorate of the Group Control Council for Germany. His performance of duty beyond that which was normally required reflects great credit upon him and upon the United States Naval Service.