The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Major Wendell H. Best (MCSN: 0-6144), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Operations Officer of an Artillery Battalion serving with the SECOND Marine Division before and during action against enemy Japanese forces on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, 20 to 28 November 1943. Throughout the training period, he organized and trained with superb professional skill and tireless energy, two complete fire direction teams and supervised the training of firing batteries for amphibious assault landings. During the engagement, he conducted the fires of this battalion with result that desperate enemy counter attacks were broken up before they could penetrate our lines. Initially, he conducted battalion fires from a shell crater in an area swept by enemy machine guns and close sniper fire. With accuracy and precision, he fired concentrations at minimum elevation, often within 100 yards of friendly lines. His performance of this important task was carried out with sound judgment, fine technical skill and meticulous attention. His conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.