The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Legion of Merit (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander John O. Speer (NSN: 0-71532), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as First Lieutenant and Damage Control Officer of the U.S.S. SAVANNAH (CL-42) during the invasion of Italy. Lieutenant Commander Speer worked tirelessly to organize and train a prompt and effective crew in case of enemy attack. On 11 September 1943, when a hostile bomb struck, he was killed but his well-trained crew carried on and succeeded in controlling the flames and saving the ship.