The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander William R. Franklin, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States on the staff of Commander North Pacific Force from June 1942 to October 1943. During a period of concentrated action in the Aleutian Islands, Territory of Alaska, Commander Franklin rendered invaluable assistance in the planning and execution of operations and the providing of weather information. In addition, he voluntarily participated in numerous hazardous flights and subsequent bombardments and landings.