The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Rupert M. Zimmerli, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Staff to a naval task force commander during the invasion of Southern France in 1944. Captain Zimmerli coordinated the administrative and planning agencies during the intensive preparations for the assault. His advice and sound decisions contributed materially to the early and firm establishment of our forces ashore in enemy-held territory.

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 Captain Rupert M. Zimmerli, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as commander of the assault section of a major task force during the invasion of Italy in 1944. Captain Zimmerli skillfully directed the movements of approximately fifty landing craft. Subsequent to the assault his task group maintained the British 46th Division over the beaches for more than two weeks despite hostile artillery fire.