The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Francis McKee Adams, Sr. (NSN: 0-57432), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of a Landing Craft Group during the invasion of the Italian Mainland in the Gulf of Salerno on 9 September 1943. Captain Adams was the commander of an Assault Task Group consisting of 13 LST’s with the U.S. Army 36th Division armor embarked. With great skill and excellent seamanship he successfully sailed this convoy from a North African port, and, in the face of heavy enemy resistance, expeditiously landed the embarked troops and armor on the assault beaches, thereby materially contributing to the success of the invasion. The able leadership, sound judgment, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Captain Adams reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Adams is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)