The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Bert Allison Bone (MCSN: 0-92), 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 First Defense Battalion, United States Fleet Marine Force, from February 1941 to May 1942. Lieutenant Colonel Bone was in charge of the construction of anti-aircraft, seacoast and beach defenses on Palmyra Island and the establishment of logistical facilities for his command there. In spite of a severe shortage of building materials and equipment and limited shipping facilities for procuring them, he displayed sound judgment and high professional skill in solving the many problems which confronted him. The construction and organization of the defenses were pushed to rapid completion, thus providing our forces with a well defended air base in the Central Pacific theater of operations. His professional ability, unremitting industry and devotion to duty contributed materially to the successful prosecution of the war against the Japanese Empire and were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.