The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral John Barr Colwell, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 5 December 1955 to 30 December 1957 as Deputy Director, Special Projects Office. During this period, he succeeded in forming a group of high-caliber personnel, well versed in all aspects of missile development. The outstanding progress achieved by the Navy in the field of ballistic missiles can be attributed in large measure to his ability to mold a coordinated team of individuals and groups from government, industry, and universities under the direction of the Special Projects Office, for the purpose of developing a Fleet Ballistic Missile system.