The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Colonel Evans Orchard Ames (MCSN: 0-11), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the Twenty-First Marines, in connection with the seizure from Japanese forces by the THIRD Marine Division, Reinforced, of a beachhead on Bougainville Island, British Solomon Islands. From 10 September 1943, when preparations for the seizure of the beachhead were begun, until the conclusion of the campaign, Colonel Ames capably directed the training and subsequent combat operations of the regiment, creating and maintaining a condition of excellence among its officers and men which won distinction and honor for the regiment on the field of battle. Under his command the regiment engaged in front-line duty throughout the operation, defeating and inflicting heavy casualties upon the enemy whenever it was opposed to Japanese forces. Colonel Ames’ zealous and energetic performance of his duty was outstanding, and contributed heavily toward the complete attainment of the Division objectives.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General [then Colonel] Evans Orchard Ames (MCSN: 0-11), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as Commanding Officer from 24 January to 31 June 1944, of Supply Service, Fifth Amphibious Corps, and subsequently with Supply Service, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific from 1 July 1944 to 31 May 1945. During this period Brigadier General Ames organized, activated and commanded the first Marine Corps Supply Service in the Central Pacific Area. With but a small staff organization to guide him and with time a pressing factor in connection with pending large scale combat operations, he quickly developed an organization which prepared and executed under his able direction necessary plans covering logistical re-supply support for two participating corps of Marines for the Marianas operations. Throughout the period he displayed keen vision, and a thorough knowledge of the broad principles of logistics and their proper application to the many complex problems involved in supply support for amphibious operations. The basic concept of the mission and organization to effectively implement the overall operations of a service agency in support of Marine Corps units in the combat and communications zones of the theater, as originally planned and developed by Brigadier General Ames, provided a sound and workable foundation on which the present Service Command has since expanded into a major unit of the Fleet Marine Force. His outstanding performance of duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.