(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Neils P. Thomsen, United States Coast Guard, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the YP-251 during action against a hostile submarine in North Pacific water, on 9 July 1942. Although an air driven torpedo passed 28 yards astern of his craft during the engagement, Lieutenant Thomsen relentlessly pursued his target until spreading oil slicks and continuous air bubbles gave evidence of the probable destruction of the enemy vessel.