The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Commander John B. Freese, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while commanding an LCT flotilla during the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. Lieutenant Commander Freese achieved outstanding success in the training and preparation of his men and brilliantly directed their landings in spite of adverse weather.