The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Roger H. Banner, United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while attached to the U.S.S. SAMUEL CHASE during the amphibious invasion of Italy on 9 September 1943. As Officer-in-Charge of a support boat, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Banner exercised great skill and courage in escorting fifty-nine amphibious trucks from the transport anchorage to the assigned beaches during darkness to discharge urgently needed artillery and equipment for the assaulting forces. He continued to navigate his support boat by the stars in traversing this distance of twelve miles between the beaches and the off shore anchorage through enemy minefields and concentrated shell and mortar fire from shore defenses to expeditiously complete unloading operations. His excellent judgment and determination were directly accountable for the rapid discharge of assault cargo without casualty which contributed materially to the success of the invasion. The extraordinary ability, resourcefulness, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Banner reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Banner is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)