(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (SC) (Retired) Bennett F. Avery, United States Navy, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as National Coordinator of the Medical Education for National Defense (MEND) Program from 14 July 1958 to 30 September 1965, by his efforts in the acceptance of the program as part of the curriculum of all the American colleges of medicine.