(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Commander Thomas E. Fortson, 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 Commanding Officer, U.S.S. CLAUDE V. RICKETTS (DDG-5) during the mixed-manning demonstrations conducted from 1 June 1964 to 1 December 1965, for his major contributions to the ultimate success of the operation.