The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander John Bernard Balch (NSN: 0-82735), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Executive Officer and Combat Information Center Evaluator of the destroyer U.S.S. BENNION (DD-662), during a night torpedo attack against the enemy at Surigao Straits, Philippine Islands, on 25 October 1944. By cool and capable direction of the Combat Information Center, Lieutenant Commander Balch accurately estimated the course, speed, and position of the enemy formation. He maintained a steady flow of information to the Commanding Officer and to the Torpedo Control Officer, with the result that a proper firing position was reached and torpedoes were fired with unerring accuracy, even in the face of enemy gunfire. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Commander Balch is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)