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 Cameron Naron, United States Coast Guard, for outstanding meritorious service as Commodore, Patrol Forces Southwest Asia, Combined Task Group 55.1 from June 2011 to June 2012. He commanded 301 Forward Deployed U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy personnel in support Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and NEW DAWN. His experience, expertise. and guidance to his squadron of six U. S. Coast Guard patrol boats resulted in over 21,000 successful operational patrol hours in defense of Iraq’s critical maritime infrastructure in the waters surrounding the Al Basrali and Khwar Al Amaya Oil terminals. Under his guidance, these maritime patrols paramount to the unfettered and continuous flow or Iraqi oil providing critical revenue to a highly strategic Middle East coalition partner. The continuous and regional maritime presence, often in lull visual contact of’ Iranian waters and patrol craft proved invaluable to the overall U.S. strategic goal of stability of the highly volatile wafers of the Arabian Gulf, He forged key relationships at the highest levels within the US. Navy’s Fifth Fleet theater staff to spearhead professional exchanges and engagements nine regional coalition partners, significantly improving foreign and U.S. Coast Guard relations within the Central Command theater. He also provided highly skilled and equipped advanced interdiction teams for deployment aboard U.S. Navy vessels combat piracy and Other illegal activities in the Gulf of Aden. Under his superb leadership and guidance, the Coast (Guard Redeployment Assistance Inspection Detachment (RAID), embedded with the Army’s 595th Transportation Brigade om the active combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan was instrumental in the successful draw down of more than 70,001 U.S. troops from Iraq. Also, through his oversight RAID personnel cleared over 17,000 maritime shipping containers, saving the Department of Defense an estimated $2 million in port delay charges- Captain Naron’s ability, diligence, and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.