The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Commodore William A. Sullivan, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Task Group Commander in charge of harbor clearance work in the Philippine Islands from 21 February 1945 to 15 August 1945. Commodore Sullivan undertook the task of removing all wreckages in Manila Harbor and the Pasig River. Assuming personal charge of the Manila unit in addition to the many salvage projects already under way and integrating his operations with the port rehabilitation program of the office of the Chief Engineer, United States Air Force, Pacific, he supervised his unit in clearing berths in port of all wrecks in time to handle Army troops and supplies essential to our planned offensives.