The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Arthur Ainslee Ageton, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of a Flotilla of United States tank landing ships from August 1944 to June 1945, during the assault and reinforcement of Leyte and Lingayen Gulf, the assault on Okinawa, Ie, and Ibeya Shima. By his initiative, skill, perseverance, resourcefulness, and professional ability, he maintained his task groups in forward areas for long periods of time, and organized, planned, and directed the landing of the assigned troops on enemy held beaches. During the assault phase of the operation, despite intermittent air attack and on two occasions against enemy mortar and major caliber artillery fire, with great industry, he personally supervised the beaching and unloading of his ships at the objectives. His leadership and superior performance of duty contributed materially to the successful completion of these operations. His outstanding service and conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Ageton is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)