The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander [then Lieutenant Commander] Thomas Alton Donovan (NSN: 0-62035), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Senior American Officer of Prisoners of War held by the enemy Japanese at Makassar, Celebes, and Batavia, Java, in the Netherlands East Indies, from 7 April 1942 to 2 October 1943, and from 7 October 1943 to 15 September 1945. Interceding time and again with his bestial overlords for improvement of the almost impossible living conditions prevalent at each of these notorious prison camps upon him arrival, Commander Donovan obtained for his men a minimum of dietary sufficiency, increased sanitation and a marked reduction in the number and severity of the cruel beatings of American by their barbarian captors. Unrelenting in his courageous effort on behalf of his fellow prisoners, he also acquired money from Allied sources for the purchase of vital necessities of life and, by his tactful but bold objections to Japanese indifferences, received permission to provide for the comparative protection of his men during Allied aerial attacks. An inspiring and dignified leader throughout three and one-half years of incredible hardships, cruel mental strain and humiliating punishment, Commander Donovan justly earned and held the respect not only of fellow Americans and Allied nationals but also of the fanatical enemy, consistently maintaining an unbelievably high morale among the United States prisoners whom he fearlessly defended as a distinct and undaunted national group. Through his extraordinary stamina, unfailing concern for those under his devoted care, brilliant skill in coping with profound psychological problems and heroic spirit of self-sacrifice, he achieved an ever-increasing improvement of the miserable lot faced by prisoners of war in these infamous Japanese camps.