(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Commander William M. Rakow, United States Navy, was awarded the Legion of Merit 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. STEVENS (DD-479), in Leyte Gulf, Mangarin Bay and Mindoro, Philippine Islands from 27 December 1944 to 2 January 1945.