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 to Rear Admiral Arnold W. McKechnie, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from May 1960 to October 1961 as Chief of Naval Air Reserve Training. Under Rear Admiral McKechnie’s leadership and guidance, particular attention has been devoted to elimination of tactical deficiencies and administrative weaknesses in connection with Reserve squadron readiness and recall procedures. The squadrons of the Naval Air Reserve have improved in efficiency and preparedness to a degree that they are now well qualified to make an immediate and effective contribution to the Fleet in event of emergency. As a result of his strong personal interest in aviation safety and the reduction of aircraft accidents, the Naval Air Reserve for the first time in its history experienced less than one aircraft accident per 10,000 hours flown, a truly remarkable achievement for a command which flies Fleet operational models almost exclusively.