The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel Cliff Atkinson, Jr. (MCSN: 0-5321), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as a Staff Officer in a Marine Division in the Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian campaigns. Lieutenant Colonel Atkinson’s services were especially valuable as an observer of the initial phases of the New Georgia operation, and his observations materially aided the formulation of logistical plans for future operations. His planning and execution of the logistics of the Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian campaigns were outstanding and contributed materially to the success of the operations. At Saipan, from 15 June to 9 July 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Atkinson, aboard a small vessel and in general supervision of the movement of equipment and supplies from ship-to-shore during the assault phase, performed an outstanding job under difficult circumstances, including enemy shelling, aerial and surface attacks. Lieutenant Colonel Atkinson’s especially meritorious service was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Atkinson is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)