The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Commander (MC) Samuel A. Isquith, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the Battle of Savo Island, 9 August 1942. Surmounting all the obstacles of battle conditions, Lieutenant Commander Isquith, as Medical Officer of the U.S.S. VINCENNES (CA-44), provided medical care to the injured and remained at his dressing station until his sinking warship had been almost abandoned. He continued administering to the wounded on a life raft in the open sea; aboard a rescuing destroyer and, later, in a transport until he was ordered to rest.