The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Richard B. Laning, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of U.S.S. SEAWOLF (SS(N)-575), one of two pioneering types of nuclear-powered ships from 30 March 1957 to 6 October 1958. During this period, Captain Laning demonstrated the tremendous potential of the submarine-borne weapons systems and was instrumental in proving the peculiar capabilities of the nuclear-powered submarine to conduct effective operations in coordination with other units of the Navy’s antisubmarine warfare team. An extremely competent and inspiring leader, he demonstrated to the world the ability of the nuclear powered submarine to remain submerged and independent of the earth’s atmosphere for a period of time that could encompass an entire war patrol.