The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Commander Sherman B. Wetmore, United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. PILOT during the invasion of Italy in 1944. Lieutenant Commander Wetmore displayed expert seamanship under extremely hazardous conditions. In spite of navigational difficulties and the extreme danger of drifting mines, he successfully accomplished his dangerous missions, thereby enabling our ships to support effectively the assault forces in establishing their initial beachhead.