The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit (Army Award) to Lieutenant Colonel Ethridge C. Best (MCSN: 0-4866), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period 5 September 1945 to 28 December 1945.