The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral John A. Snackenberg, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from May 1958 to June 1961, as Chief, Military Assistance Advisory Group to The Netherlands. During this period, Rear Admiral Snackenberg was responsible for the undertaking of several important projects in the fields of propulsion and auxiliary machinery systems and for the development of a highly effective Antisubmarine Warfare capability that resulted in an efficient hunter-killer group in the Royal Netherlands Navy. His fine sense of diplomacy and tactful manner motivated the military services of The Netherlands toward meeting their NATO commitments.