The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Joseph B. Drachnik, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during 1963 to 1964. Serving as advisor to the Commander, Vietnamese Navy during a period when active counterinsurgency operations were prosecuted by the Vietnamese Navy and Vietnamese Marine Corps, Captain Drachnik contributed significantly to the development of the Vietnamese Navy from an undermanned force with inadequate experience to a fully-manned, well-trained and equipped combat-tested Navy. Under his supervision the number of Vietnamese Navy ships was nearly doubled, and crews of all ships were trained by facilities which were developed to U.S. Navy standards. In collaboration with Captain Drachnik, his Vietnamese counterpart planned and directed the construction of a large fleet of junks to provide coastal surveillance. Overhaul schedules were consistently met, and ships and boats were kept at a high peak of material readiness.