The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Kendall Sturtevant Reed (NSN: 0-20264), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of a Task Group during the amphibious assault on the Island of Sicily, 10 July 1943, and as Joint Loading Control Officer of a Major Task Force during the invasion of Italy, 9 – 21 September 1943. By his efficient coordination of plans for the Attack Group which he led, Captain Reed achieved conspicuous success in effecting the landing of assault troops and mechanized equipment over the beaches near Gela, Sicily. Later, in charge of the centralized joint loading activities for maintenance of the assaulting forces during the invasion of Italy, Captain Reed exercised skillful control of these operations, insuring availability of convoy ships and permitting their departure on schedule. His extraordinary ability in this respect and his sound judgment throughout contributed materially to the success of these two major amphibious assaults.

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 Kendall Sturtevant Reed (NSN: 0-20264), 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. OAKLAND (CL-95), from 14 October 1944 to 27 August 1945. Until 26 December 1944 the OAKLAND operated with Task Force THIRTY-EIGHT supporting the amphibious operations in the Philippines. Following this, she became a unit of Task Force FIFTY-EIGHT operating in the vicinity of Okinawa furnishing air support to the landings there. During May when the Fast Carriers were launching strikes on Japan, the Task Force was subjected to frequent air attacks, but by his outstanding professional skill and seamanship, Captain Reed brought the OAKLAND through these numerous attacks undamaged. The leadership and initiative displayed by him was an inspiration to his men. His conduct and devotion to duty were outstanding and at all times were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Captain Reed is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)