The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander Ernest S. Von Kleeck, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Executive Officer of the U.S.S. CLEVELAND (CL-55) during action in the Solomon Islands area from 30 October to 2 November 1943. Commander Von Kleeck rendered invaluable assistance to his commanding officer in the initial bombardment of the Buka-Bonis area and the first daylight attack on the Shortland area. In addition to sinking or damaging eight of the enemy’s warships, the force of which his ship was a unit fought off a deadly attack by 67 hostile bombers, shooting down 17.