(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Rear Admiral Willard John Smith, United States Coast Guard, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, as Superintendent of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy from 1 July 1962 to July 1964. He made major changes updating the Academy curriculum to keep in step with modern advances in technology and management. Also, he proposed and developed an electives program which provides incentives and opportunities for cadets to broaden their education, improving their capabilities as future Coast Guard officers, and vigorously supervised a building program of improving the laboratory.