The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Seaman Apprentice William D. Hodges, United States Navy, for services in connection with rescue and evacuation operations following a disastrous train wreck at Steelton, Pennsylvania, on the late afternoon of 28 July 1962. As leader of a drill team which chanced upon the scene of a nine-car train derailment while returning by bus from a parade at Port Royal, Pennsylvania, to Bainbridge, Maryland, Seaman Apprentice Hodges, upon observing that there was no organized rescue effort, immediately organized his drill team into rescue units and proceeded to remove the injured and dead from the twisted wreckage. Displaying unusual organizational skill, firm leadership, and quick initiative, he directed and personally participated in rescue and evacuation operations for a period of approximately eight hours, contributing greatly to the saving of many lives and to the alleviation of human suffering.