The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Colonel Joseph P. Adams (MCSN: 0-4524), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commanding Officer for Marine Air Bases from 4 April to 1 July 1945, and as Temporary Air Base Commander for Yontan Airfield, Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu islands, from 4 April to 11 April 1945. At Yontan Airfield, his tireless efforts in the preparation of runways, airfield control tower and transportation facilities were largely responsible for the readiness of the field to receive a Marine air group on 7 April and air evacuation planes on 8 April. Subsequently, he personally took command of Awase Airfield to accelerate the readiness of that field for the arrival of Marine air groups. His supervisory and planning abilities were of inestimable value to the expeditious manner in which the air bases at Yontan, Kadena, Awase, and Chimu were established to receive the Marine fighter groups. His exceptionally meritorious conduct was a material contribution to the destruction of four hundred enemy aircraft, and his conduct throughout this period was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Colonel Adams is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)