The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain (Chaplain) Robert A. Uphoff (ASN: 0-403635), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as a Chaplain in the 37th Infantry Division in the South Pacific Area, during the period from 18 November 1942 to 26 January 1944. In the Fiji Islands, Chaplain Uphoff spared neither time nor physical strength to provide the troops of the infantry battalion with spiritual comfort and recreational facilities. He continued his physically exhausting activities on behalf of morale at Guadalcanal from the Spring of 1943 to July 1943. Subsequently, at New Georgia, he was a bulwark of strength to the men engaged in jungle warfare. During the Bougainville campaign, from 19 November 1943 to 26 January 1944, Chaplain Uphoff visited all front line units individually and unselfishly expended his failing physical strength to visit the wounded daily and bury the dead. Throughout his long period of service with a combat infantry battalion, he exemplified the highest ideals of an Army Chaplain by his magnificent devotion to duty.