The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Colonel [then Lieutenant Colonel] Edmond J. Buckley (MCSN: 0-4624), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as the Intelligence Officer for a Marine Division during the invasion of Cape Gloucester, New Britain, from 26 December 1943 to 31 January 1944. During the planning phase, Colonel Buckley was charged with the evaluation of a mass of information on enemy troop movements and installations. His outstanding knowledge of enemy organization and tactics enabled him to prepare from information at hand such an extremely accurate estimate of the situation that the division conducted an amphibious assault against a defended beach and accomplished its objective with a bare minimum of casualties. Landing with an advance element of the division command post on D-Day while the beaches were under fire, he was instrumental in the establishment of the command post ashore. In order to obtain accurate and first-hand information from the front lines, Colonel Buckley, constantly under heavy enemy fire, made daily visits to the command and observation posts of the assault battalions and companies, returning with vital information and keen analyses of projected enemy movements. His demonstrated acumen, his never failing initiative, and his sagacious judgment were outstanding throughout the operation. His conduct was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Colonel Buckley is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Colonel Edmond J. Buckley (MCSN: 0-4624), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in the defense of Guadalcanal, British Solomon Islands. Colonel Buckley was detailed as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, FIRST Marine Division, on 13 August 1942, and served in that capacity throughout the campaign until the FIRST Division was withdrawn from Guadalcanal on 9 December 1942. Starting a new assignment in the midst of active operations as Chief of an Intelligence Section, which had been seriously depleted by combat losses, Colonel Buckley displayed great energy and resourcefulness in rebuilding and reorganizing the intelligence organization and in developing agencies for the collection of information. (Colonel Buckley is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)