The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Colonel Samuel S. Ballentine (MCSN: 0-3961), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Military Transportation Officer on the Staff of the Commander Third Amphibious Force from 15 July 1944 until 15 August 1945. Colonel Ballentine, by his thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the characteristics and capacities of amphibious shipping, efficiently prepared combat embarkation and landing schedules and orders for the amphibious assaults upon enemy positions in the Palau Islands and on Leyte and Luzon Islands. His precise and detailed studies and plans were a material contribution to the expeditious and orderly discharge of troops, weapons, and supplies, and insured the successful logistic support of the tactical plans of the Force Commander. He personally participated in the initial assaults on Leyte and Luzon Islands and during these operations he was subjected to numerous enemy air attacks and to imminent threats of surface attack by major forces of the Japanese Fleet. His professional skill, sound judgment, and untiring devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Colonel Ballentine is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)