The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Francis Wyse Benson (NSN: 0-10808), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a member of the staff of Commander, SEVENTH Amphibious Force from July 1943 to October 1944. During the first six months of this period, as senior staff officer in the forward area, he carried out the functions normally performed by the Chief of Staff. Working under difficult conditions with a limited number of personnel and ships, he succeeded in an outstanding manner in coordinating the planning, operation of ships and their logistic support. Subsequently, as Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations, he supervised the work of the Planning, Intelligence, Training, Gunnery and Operations sections of the staff. He served as senior assistant to the Group Commander during the landing at Sansapor, Dutch New Guinea. During the landing at Leyte, Philippine Islands, he was in command of the Harbor Entrance Control Group and as attack unit commander directed the landing of troops on Homohan Island at the Northern entrance to Leyte Harbor on A-2 Day to guard the entrance pending the arrival of the main assault force. He served outstandingly in amphibious landings. His conscientious devotion to duty and his untiring effort in the performance of that duty have been outstanding and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Benson is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

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 to Captain Francis W. Benson (NSN: 0-10808), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of a United States Transport (Assault) operating with the THIRD Amphibious Force during action against enemy Japanese strongholds in the South Pacific, commencing with the landing of our first troops on Guadalcanal in August 1942 through the establishment of our beachhead on Rendova Island in June 1943 for the capture of Munda, and New Georgia. During these operations in which his ship made nine voyages into the hostile waters of the Solomons, Captain Benson’s ship was under heavy enemy air attack on three occasions on 8 August off Guadalcanal, on 17 February south of Guadalcanal, and on 30 June off Rendova. On all these occasions Captain Benson displayed great courage and skill in handling his ship and bringing accurate and devastating fire to bear upon enemy aircraft; thereby contributing to the success of our landing assaults. In the landing on Guadalcanal and Rendova Captain Benson’s ship was under the fire of enemy shore batteries. His superb seamanship and resourcefulness enabled his vessel to continue with successful assaults against the enemy. His leadership in providing preparatory training for disembarking and supporting assault troops, in expeditious and efficient unloading of troops and supplies in contested areas and in bringing his entire ship’s personnel to a peak of combat efficiency were outstanding. His gallant devotion to duty throughout this period was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Benson is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)