The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander John W. Bays (NSN: 0-61331), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States and the allied nations. Commander Bays, Force Operations, Western Naval Task Force did, by his outstanding professional skill and tireless devotion to duty during the planning and training phases and by his fine grasp of the tactical situation during the amphibious assault landing of the First United States Army from 6 June 1944 to 30 June 1944, contribute immeasurably to the success of the Normandy campaign. Commander Bays’ professional skill, fine grasp of the tactical situation at all times and his tireless devotion to duty, reflect great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Bays is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander John W. Bays (NSN: 0-61331), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. PARKER (DD-604) while performing convoy escort duty in the Central Mediterranean in November 1943. On 6 November 1943, while escorting a convoy which was heavily attacked by enemy aircraft in the Central Mediterranean, Commander Bays directed such accurate and damaging gunfire against the attacking planes that the enemy was unable to penetrate the protecting screen in his sector successfully and he thereby thwarted efforts to inflict severe damage and large shipping losses to this valuable troop convoy. The extraordinary ability, able leadership, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Commander Bays reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Bays is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)