The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Commander Crittenden B. Taylor, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in July 1943. Commanding a minesweeper group during the assault on Sicily, Lieutenant Commander Taylor directed vital operations continuously over a period of five days despite extremely heavy seas in a hazardous area. His command cleared the area and permitted safe passage to the beachheads.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Commander Crittenden B. Taylor, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as commander of the U.S. minesweepers attached to a major task force during the invasion of Italy in 1944. Lieutenant Commander Crittenden displayed excellent seamanship and superb skill. He maneuvered the vessels under his command through dangerous enemy minefields and swept a clear path for our landing craft, enabling them to arrive at the transport area without loss from enemy mines.