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 with Combat “V” to Captain Thomas Baldwin Brittain (NSN: 0-20428), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of Transports of an amphibious task force during the period of planning and execution of the assault on the strongly defended Japanese held island of Peleliu, August to September 1944. Although Captain Brittain was given overall command of transports less than a month before the date of invasion, training and preparation already undertaken were, under his able supervision, completed on schedule. During the assault, his inspiring leadership and high professional skill in the direction of the different ship to shore movement across coral reefs and many obstructions made an essential contribution to the success of an operation which was of great importance to our continuing offensive against the enemy in this theater. His performance of duty throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Brittain is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain [then Commander] Thomas Baldwin Brittain (NSN: 0-20428), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. MONROVIA during the amphibious assault on the Island of Sicily in 1943. Captain Brittain commanded the headquarters ship of the U.S. forces engaged in the operation. By his professional skill and energetic leadership under fire the ship under his command carried out efficiently and expeditiously to the limit of its capabilities all duties assigned as headquarters ship in addition to assisting with embarked boats in landing assault troops and in salvage operations on the beaches thereby greatly contributing to the success of the invasion. The extraordinary ability, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Captain Brittain reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Brittain is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commodore Thomas Baldwin Brittain (NSN: 0-20428), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of an attack transport squadron from 22 February to 30 April 1945, during the periods of planning, staging, and execution of the amphibious assaults on Kerama Retto, Ie Shima, and Okinawa. By his initiative, skill, perseverance, resourcefulness and professional ability, he prepared plans and organized and directed the landing of assigned troops on enemy-held beaches. He diligently supervised the unloading of his ships and by his leadership and superior performance of duty, in the face of intermittent air attack, contributed materially to the successful completion of these operations. His outstanding service and conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commodore Brittain is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)