The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Alvin D. Chandler, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Destroyer Division Commander in the South Pacific area from 30 September 1943 to 4 October 1943. Captain Chandler trained the ships of his division so efficiently that they were able to destroy many enemy planes and to either destroy or damage three Japanese submarines. During this period the destroyers under his command sank or damaged many enemy barges and gunboats which were attempting to evacuate troops from Kolombangara.