The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Roland Wayne Purser, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 341st Missile Security Group, 341st Missile Wing, Air Force Space Command, Malstrom Air Force Base, Montana, and as Military Assistant to the Presidentially appointed Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, Arlington, Virginia, from 15 August 1993 to 31 August 1995. In these critically important assignments, Colonel Purser’s exceptional leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts resulted in significant contributions to resounding effectiveness and success in meeting myriad complex challenges of critical importance to the Air Force, the Department of Defense, and the nation. As commander of the Air Force’s largest security-police group, he was the driving force behind his unit’s winning separate honors as “Best in Air Force Space Command” and “Best in Air Force,” contributing to his wing’s earning distinction as “Best Missile Wing” in Air Force Space Command and “Best Ballistic Missile Unit” in United States Strategic Command. Colonel Purser’s critical role in the overall efforts of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission contributed immeasurably to Presidential recommendations for 132 installation closures and realignments, resulting in Fiscal Year 1996-2001 net savings of 3.6 billion dollars, 20-year net-present-value savings of 19.3 billion dollars, and 1.6 billion dollars savings annually. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Purser reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.