The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel James H. Brower (MCSN: 0-4670), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Training Officer on the Staff of a Naval Task Group Commander prior to and during the assault on the mainland of Sicily in 1943. Lieutenant Colonel Brower, with sound judgment and great professional skill, assisted in the training of personnel and supervised the loading of landing craft for the amphibious assault in the Gulf of Salerno. As a result of his untiring effort, most of the landing ships were enabled to beach and unload without the use of pontoons, thus permitting the operations to proceed most expeditiously and rapidly at a time when heavy enemy opposition was encountered. By his resourcefulness, energy, and keen understanding, he contributed greatly to the success of the landings. The extraordinary ability and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Brower reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Brower is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)