The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain (MC) Rea E. Ashley (NSN: 0-9961), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of the Clinical Services of United States Base Hospital No. 6, from May to November 1943. By organizing and directing the Clinical Services he helped materially to maintain a very high standard of service to patients from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Due to his intelligent efforts, many thousands of sick men received the very best of care with a high percentage returned to duty and a very low death rate. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.