The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander William Baxter Porter, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States by leading and landing a demolition squad in enemy territory during the night of 11 – 12 July 1950. He succeeded in planting charges of explosive under the railroad tracks inside a tunnel at Latitude 40-29.5 North, Longitude 129.05,5 East, North Korea, in order to block enemy communications, and withdrew his party without being observed. By his actions Commander Porter showed aggressive initiative in planning and obtaining the necessary demolition materials prior to leaving port and in taking special instructions in the technique of their use. He landed the volunteer party which he had organized, assembled, and instructed. He planned and executed the details of the operations with complete disregard for his own personal safety. His outstanding leadership and bold execution of the plan was an immediate contribution to the war effort of the Korean campaign and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Porter is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)