The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Murray Jones Tichenor (NSN: 0-58522), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as Operations Officer on the Staff of the Commander Task Force SEVENTY-ONE, during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the South China Seas, Celebes Sea and the Philippines Area, from August 1943 to November 1944. With his duties varying from normal submarine duty in assigned areas to special and diverse missions involving rescue and reconnaissance, Captain Tichenor met the constantly shifting strategic and tactical situations occasioned by the rapid advance of our ground, surface and air forces in this area and contributed greatly to the serious losses and damage inflicted upon the enemy. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.