The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Francis Paxton Old (NSN: 0-20468), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving o the Staff of the Commander of a Naval Task Force prior to and during the amphibious invasion of Italy in September 1943. Captain Old with extreme skill, perseverance and energy coordinated the highly complex plans for the employment of a Naval Task Force composed of many Allied units of different types and characteristics in establishing the invasion forces ashore on enemy held territory in the Gulf of Salerno. He effectively assisted the Task Force Commander in the execution of the assault operations and in the very detailed and critical operations incident to the maintenance of the assault forces once the initial beachhead was gained and the advance inland was being heavily resisted by enemy counterattacks. His able and untiring efforts to effect the proper disposition of the reserve forces and to regulate the movements of succeeding convoys contributed materially to the ultimate success of the invasion. The extraordinary initiative, sound judgment, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Captain Old reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. (Captain Old 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 Captain Francis Paxton Old (NSN: 0-20468), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States on the Staff of the Naval Commander of the Amphibious Forces which seized a bridgehead in the Anzio-Nettuno area on 22 January 1944. Captain Old, with great professional skill and sound judgment assisted the Force Commander in development of organization and tactical plans for the amphibious assault. In the short time available he coordinated the plans with other services and allies so that large forces were successfully landed with negligible losses. During the approach phase Captain Old with marked initiative and foresight advised the Naval Task Force Commander in directing the assault. The extraordinary ability, resourcefulness, and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Captain Old, reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. (Captain Old is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Captain Francis Paxton Old (NSN: 0-20468), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. INDIANA from 7 April 1945 to 31 August 1945. He fought his ship ably and aggressively in the face of repeated enemy air attacks on the Task Group at which time his ship contributed accurate anti-aircraft fire toward the destruction of the enemy planes which pressed home their attacks. His ship inflicted considerable damage to enemy industrial installations during the bombardment of Kamaishi on 14 July 1945, the bombardment of Hamamatau on the night of 29 – 30 July 1945, and the second bombardment of Kamaishi on 9 August 1945. In carrying out difficult and hazardous assignments he displayed outstanding leadership, professional ability and high personal courage which were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Old is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)