The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander William Drane Brown (NSN: 0-58688), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Operations Officer and Senior Aid to Commander Task Force SIXTY-EIGHT during operations in the Solomon Islands. Through his intimate knowledge of the geography of the locality gained while commanding a destroyer operating against the enemy in this area, his previous experience in bombardment operations, and through his clear logical thinking while under fire, Commander Brown was of invaluable service to Task Force Commander SIXTY-EIGHT during the occasion of the bombardment of enemy military and air installations on Kolombangara Island on the night of 5 – 6 March 1943, and throughout the engagement in Kula Gulf, which preceded the bombardment and during which two enemy vessels were sunk. Although contact was made with the enemy ships in the narrow confines of Kula Gulf at a very tense moment, just prior to commencing the bombardment, Commander Brown was calm and collected and his usual efficiency seemed enhanced by the excitement of the occasion. His efforts and his courage contributed definitely to the success of the mission. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

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 William Drane Brown (NSN: 0-58688), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff and Operations Officer on the Staff of Commander Task Force THIRTY-NINE during a 36-hour period from midnight 30 October 1943 to noon 2 November 1943. During this period Task Force THIRTY-NINE was engaged in the following highly successful actions:
-Conducted the first daylight bombardment of the Shortland-Faisi-Ballale Area while subjected to heavy enemy shore battery fire.
-Decisively defeated in night action, a heavier gunned enemy surface force composed of at least four cruisers, of which two were 8-inch cruisers, and eight destroyers of which at least one cruiser and four destroyers were sunk and the remainder put to ignominious flight towards their bases with two cruisers and two destroyers heavily damaged and under hot pursuit by our forces. This defeat prevented the Japanese Task Force from bombarding our beachhead at Empress Augusta Bay, and destroying our transport and minelaying groups and thereby materially contributed to the successful establishment of our land and air forces on Bougainville Island.
-Successfully fought off a heavy air attack by at least 67 Japanese dive and medium bombers with the destruction of at least 17 Japanese planes by the ships’ anti-aircraft gunfire.
By his fearlessness, calmness, and gallant determination Captain Brown set an example of conduct under stress of battle that was an inspiration. His relentless fighting spirit and devotion to duty, maintained at great risk in the face of grave personal danger was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.