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 Captain Mitchell Dudley Matthews (NSN: 0-61527), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Screen Commander of Mine Division SIXTY in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa from 4 April to 25 May 1945. In tactical command over various groups of ships serving as radar pickets and as anti-submarine, anti-aircraft and anti-small boat screens, Captain Matthews successfully fulfilled his mission of furnishing protection and warning to troop and supply-laden vessels in the landing beach areas, thereby contributing materially to the success of these vital operations. His professional ability and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Matthews is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)