The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Charles J. Alfke, Jr., 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, mechanized, Flotilla prior to and during the assault on the coast of France, June 1944. Lieutenant Alfke, after weeks of diligent training, brought his landing craft, mechanized, Flotilla to a high degree of readiness for the operation. He led his section of the convoy through mined waters in unfavorable weather and, although the landing craft, mechanized, had never gone so far under their own power, dispatched his forty craft to the assault waves according to schedule. Thereafter he was tireless in unloading landing ships, tanks, Liberty Ships, and coasters. The assiduity and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Alfke were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.