The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Wilkie H. Brereton (NSN: 0-58771), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of a Flotilla of United States Tank Landing Ships from November 1944 to June 1945, during the assault and occupation of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. By his initiative, skill, perseverance, resourcefulness, and professional ability, he maintained his task groups in forward areas for long periods of time, and organized, planned and directed the landing of assigned troops on enemy held beaches. During the assault phases of the operations, despite intermittent air attack, he diligently supervised the unloading of his ships at the objective. His leadership and superior performance of duty contributed materially to the successful completion of these operations. His outstanding service and conduct throughout distinguished him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Brereton is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)