The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commander Martin Adam Shellabarger (NSN: 0-72290), 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. COLAHAN (DD-658), during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Kyushu, Japan, and Okinawa Jima, Ryukyu Islands, from 17 March top 29 April 1945. Commanding his ship as part of a radar picket line which frequently operated in the hazardous areas within sight of the enemy homeland, Commander Shellabarger skillfully assisted in identifying and homing our returning flights and rescuing personnel from damaged aircraft. Consistently assuring accurate gunfire from his vessel, he successfully directed his weapons to destroy two hostile planes, to drive off six determined enemy air attacks and to give assistance in shooting down additional planes. Maneuvering his vessel alongside a seriously damaged and burning destroyer on 29 April, he quickly brought the fires under control and rescued many of the stricken ship’s crew from the water. His outstanding courage, devotion to duty and leadership were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Shellabarger is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)