The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Olton Rader Bennehoff (NSN: 0-169706), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in operations against the enemy during the amphibious assault on Algiers, Algeria, 7 to 8 November 1942. Captain Bennehoff was in command of U.S.S. THOMAS STONE when she was disabled by a torpedo hit in the stern at early dawn 7 November 1942. The ship was forced to stop and drop out of the convoy with but one British corvette left behind to protect her. Realizing that the embarked troops were sorely needed ashore Captain Bennehoff loaded 700 of them in the ship’s landing boats and sailed them for Algiers, escorted by the Corvette, H.M.S. SPEY. In so doing, Captain Bennehoff deprived his crippled vessel of her only escort, accepted the imminent risk of another torpedoing, showing a commendable ability to take risks and make sound military decisions. Later upon the arrival of a British destroyer, H.M.S. WISHART, Captain Bennehoff showed excellent seamanship which was instrumental in getting the ship safely to Algiers where her valuable cargo was unloaded. Captain Bennehoff’s conduct on this occasion reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Bennehoff is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)