(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain Harry R. Carson, Jr., 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 Commander of LST Group 65 in the South West Pacific area from November 1944 to July 1945.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander Harry R. Carson, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. Obtaining permission to make a landing behind enemy lines at Guadalcanal on 30 January 1943, Commander Carson effected the perilous landing and successfully evacuated by boat an isolated Army platoon, under intense fire of both friendly and hostile forces.