(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Commodore Joseph C. Cronin, United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of 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. TULAGI (CVE-72), during operations against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, from 25 March 1945 to 8 May 1945.