The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Ralph S. Clarke, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from April 1959 to May 1961 as Deputy Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces Southern Europe. Rear Admiral Clarke has made a significant contribution toward insuring the combat readiness of the Naval Striking Forces Southern Europe, United States SIXTH Fleet.