The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander William B. Perkins, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of a United States Navy Submarine during a war patrol in enemy-controlled waters during World War II. Commander Perkins withstood the constant danger of aerial bombing to accomplish his assigned mission in a most efficient manner. His skillful evasive tactics in avoiding detection by enemy anti-submarine measures enabled him to bring his ship safely to port.