The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral John Reginald Beardall, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Superintendent, United States Naval Academy, and Commandant, Severan River Naval Command, from 31 January 1942 to 8 August 1945. A brilliant and forceful leader, Rear Admiral Beardall administered the affairs of the Naval Academy with distinctive success in directing the conversion for a peace-time to a war-time basis and in supervising and training and education not only of the largest classes of Regular Midshipmen ever to enter and to be graduated from the Naval Academy but also of approximately 3,700 Reserve Midshipmen. Capable and untiring in handling current acquisition and installation of the implements of modern Naval warfare for the practical instruction of midshipmen, Rear Admiral Beardall exercised foresight and sound judgment in planning for post-war curriculum, modernized and expanded according to existent policies. His distinguished service throughout a period of exacting duty has been invaluable to the United States Navy in the successful prosecution of the war.