The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Chief Boatswain’s Mate Philip E. Barnard, 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. JOSEPH T. DICKMAN (AP-26), during the amphibious assault at Salerno, Italy, in September 1943. Chief Barnard was in charge of a heavy landing craft loaded with vehicles and assault troops. He skillfully maneuvered his boat and landed under heavy enemy gunfire on the correct beach. As he was retracting from the beach, hits from enemy guns seriously damaged his craft and wounded three members of his crew. With great resourcefulness and utmost determination Chief Barnard maintained control of his craft, transferred the two most seriously wounded to a patrol boat, and with outstanding skill and good judgment managed the badly damaged boat eight miles over mined waters to the U.S.S. JOSEPH T. DICKMAN. This required six hours of unremitting effort and was directly responsible for saving the tank lighter. The extraordinary ability, resourcefulness, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Chief Barnard, reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Chief Boatswain’s Mate Barnard is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)