The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Thurston B. Clark, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Fleet Air Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, from January 1959 to June 1962. Rear Admiral Clark contributed immeasurably to the achievement of recent improvements in antisubmarine warfare (ASW) capabilities of the aircraft squadrons and wings under his command. Instrumental in establishing the Maritime Air Task Force, which has led to greatly improved reaction time for special air antisubmarine operations and in long-range surveillance situations, he has made a significant contribution to the achievement of a high state of readiness in the development of ASW tactics; he has also contributed to the marked improvement in the ability of patrol aircraft to coordinate effectively with the Ocean Surveillance System; and to improvements in sub/air barrier tactics.