The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant (MC) Don M. Mattox, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the assault on and occupation of French Morocco, as Medical Officer of the beach party from a transport. Lieutenant Mattox succored the wounded and administered surgical aid to members of the landing party amid vicious bombing and strafing attacks on the medical unit.