(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Sergeant Orville Roger Ballenger, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while detained as a Prisoner of War in Southeast Asia during the period 22 April 1962 to 15 August 1962. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of Southeast Asia demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, this American continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
And the United States Army.