The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Commander Bruce P. Ross, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Engineering Officer in the U.S.S. RADFORD (DD-446) during an engagement with Japanese forces off Kolombangara Island on 6, July 1943. Lieutenant Commander Ross maintained the machinery at full power during the initial battle, in which at least five Japanese vessels were destroyed. Later, during the rescue of 444 survivors from the U.S.S. HELENA, the engines were required to answer emergency full ahead and full astern bells from a position dead in the water in order to avoid enemy torpedoes.