The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Legion of Merit (Posthumously) to Commander John J. Shaffer, III (NSN: 0-63162), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of a United States Navy Destroyer during action against a U-boat in the Atlantic on 7 April 1944. Commander Shaffer made repeated sound attacks and forced the submarine to the surface. He continued the attack with gunfire and finally rammed the submarine. Determined that contact should not be lost, he continued his vessel from an exposed position and sustained a wound which resulted in his death the next day.