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 Commander Harold Robert Brookman, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Material Officer on the staff of an amphibious force commander during the landings on the coast of French Morocco in November 1942. Commander Brookman energetically and effectively directed numerous activities in connection with the preparation of ships and landing craft for large scale amphibious operations. At a time when the development of new equipment and methods led forth many difficult problems, he consistently exercised the greatest ingenuity and sound judgment. He assisted in the formulation of plans for assembling, transporting, maintaining and salvaging the craft and equipage necessary for an assault on a hostile shore and, later, during combat operations, assisted materially in their successful execution. By his resourcefulness, perseverance and great professional skill he contributed greatly to the success of the landings. The extraordinary ability and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Commander Brookman reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. (Commander Brookman is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)