The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Colonel [then Captain and later Major] Jean H. Buckner (MCSN: 0-5319), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving with a Marine Defense Battalion on Midway Islands during the period of 7 December 1941 to 1 November 1943. Lieutenant Colonel Buckner while commanding a heavy anti-aircraft battery during the period of 7 December 1941 to 17 July 1942, maintained his battery in a constant state of readiness and was always the first to fire upon the enemy. Despite the loss of personnel from enemy and the destruction of a large percentage of fire control equipment when his battery was heavily bombed during the battle of Midway Island, he continued to direct its fire and by so doing aided in the destruction of numerous enemy aircraft. Although the personnel of his battery lived in dugouts and under adverse conditions throughout the entire period his leadership, courage and sound judgment imbued them with the highest of morale and devotion to duty. During the period of 18 July 1942 to 1 November 1943 while serving as Operations Officer of the battalion he displayed outstanding professional ability in planning and supervising the expanding defense of the Islands and in the training of several hundred replacements in advanced anti-aircraft techniques. His technical knowledge, actions and outstanding devotion to duty contributed materially to the defense of Midway Islands and his conduct was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Colonel Buckner is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)