The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Senior Chief Sonarman Thomas E. Bogard, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 11 August 1961 to 1 May 1963 while serving on board U.S.S. WILKINSON (DL-5). As the ship’s representative responsible for the installation, maintenance, and operation of the prototype AN/SQS-26 (XN-2) sonar, Senior chief Bogard, throughout the installation and technical evaluation of this newest and most important sonar, consistently made organizational recommendations and implemented maintenance procedures which helped markedly to avoid or minimize delays. His technical knowledge and outstanding leadership permitted extensive modification of the AN/SQS-26 (XN-2) and emergency replacement of the transducer, which would not have been feasible at such a late date without his efforts. Nine months before the system was ready for testing, he devised, developed, and conducted an excellent training course for shipboard personnel.