The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander John MacAulay Steinbeck (NSN: 0-72582), 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. GANSEVOORT (DD-608) from September 1943 to May 1945. During the early part of this extended period, the GANSEVOORT performed patrol and escort duties and bombarded enemy positions on Tarawa and Bititu Islands. On 21 November, she took an enemy plane under fire at Tarawa, scoring some hits and damaging it. On 19 April and again on 23 April, the GANSEVOORT rescued crews of crashed B-24’s. During the summer of 1944, she was assigned duties blockading bypassed enemy garrisons in the Central Pacific area, bombarding them occasionally. While convoying re-supply echelons during the Philippine invasion, the GANSEVOORT shot down five enemy aircraft on various occasions. On 30 December 1944, she was hit by an enemy suicide plane, receiving damage which necessitated withdrawal from the combat area. The exceptional professional skill and courage displayed by Lieutenant Commander Steinbeck contributed materially to the successful conclusion of these operations. His conduct and devotion to duty were outstanding and at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Lieutenant Commander Steinbeck is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)