The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander William M. Gullett, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Executive Officer and Navigator of a United States Warship during the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. Commander Gullett skillfully organized and trained the ship’s company and insured complete readiness of his ship to function efficiently as flagship of a task force commander. He expertly guided landing craft and assault convoys to proper unloading areas in the assaults on both Sicily and the Italian mainland.