The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander (CEC) Herbert W. Whitney, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, Mobile Construction Battalion (Special) with the United States Naval Support Force, Antarctica, during Operation DEEP FREEZE I and II from 15 February 1955 to 25 March 1957. Exercising a high degree of professional skill and resourcefulness, Commander Whitney was eminently successful in carrying out his responsibilities which included the development and implementation of all plans to place his battalion in operation as required to aid in executing two of the largest operations ever undertaken in the history of polar exploration.