The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Gerald L. Ketchum, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commander, United States Naval Support Force, Antarctica, during Operation DEEP FREEZE I and II from 1 February 1955 to 22 March 1957. An extremely competent and resourceful leader, Captain Ketchum was responsible for and directly supervised the preparation and implementation of plans for two Antarctic expeditions which involved the design, establishment and operation of seven widely dispersed bases constructed to support the Antarctic program of the United States National Committee for the International Geophysical Year.