The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain William Gordon Beecher, Jr. (NSN: 0-59696), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of a Mine Division. Captain Beecher commanded Group TWO of the attacking forces of Minecraft en route to and upon deployment at Okinawa Gunto during the period 19 March 1945 to 12 May 1945. By his initiative, perseverance and outstanding ability, he kept ships of his Division and others temporarily under his command operating safely for extended periods of time in dangerous and incompletely charted waters in operations against the enemy. His outstanding service and performance of duty were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Beecher is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)