The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Vincent C. Thomas, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Special Assistant for Public Information to the Chief of Naval Operations. During the Cuban missile crisis in October 1962, his intimate understanding of press needs and the requirement of official policy produced a course of action which resulted in both a close relationship between the Department of the Navy and the Office of the Secretary of Defense in information matters and in full and clear press coverage of the Navy contribution to solution of that explosive international situation. His prompt grasp of the extent and direction of public interest following the loss of U.S.S. THRESHER in April 1963, as well as his appreciation of its internal impact, led him to recommend to the Chief of Naval Operations and subsequently to implement a series of actions which contributed materially to averting a grave crisis in public confidence in the submarine service and the Navy.