(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Commander John S. Lewis, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Operations Officer on the staff of Commander FIFTH Amphibious Force Pacific in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands area from August 1943 to May 1944.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander John S. Lewis, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as staff member with Commander Amphibious Force, South Pacific, from August 1942 to July 1943. Commander Lewis participated in the initial occupation of Guadalcanal-Tulagi. He also aided in the occupation of the Russell Islands and that assault on New Georgia, and carried out many extremely difficult and hazardous missions.