The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander Walter L. Marshall, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Salvage Officer and Assistant Maintenance Officer on the Staff of Commander Service Squadron THREE from 21 May 1954 to 22 May 1955. Commander Marshall skillfully planned, supervised and coordinated the successful salvage work on the U.S.N.S. LST 546 during September and October 1954 when that vessel was driven on the rocky shore of Hakodate Bay, Hokkaido Island, Japan; and again when the same ship broached on the rocks at Cheju Do, Korea, in April 1955.