The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain James Thomas Traylor, Jr. (NSN: 0-165586), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans, Operations, and Training on the Staff of the Commander Amphibious Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, during the period April 1966 to September 1967. Captain Traylor distinguished himself by his exceptional leadership, organizational ability, energy, imagination, sound judgment and ability to inspire his subordinates. His direction and supervision of his staff division in the initiation of many new programs and in the determination and execution of timely and logical action resulted in sustained, efficient Amphibious Force support to the United States military efforts in Vietnam and in the Western Pacific. Captain Traylor further distinguished himself in directing and supervising establishment of his division’s Special Operations Section which assumed responsibility for Amphibious Force river and coastal warfare units in Vietnam, Pacific Fleet unconventional warfare operations, and Mobile Riverine Force in Vietnam, and, in turn, greatly improved overall Force effectiveness and readiness in this evolving area of naval warfare. In spite of extensions of time required for overhauls and restricted availabilities, Captain Traylor’s foresight permitted adjustment of schedules so that operationally ready ships were sailed on time, fully prepared to meet the Amphibious Force commitments in the Western Pacific. The full measure of his outstanding and meritorious performance of duty is reflected in the demonstrated high degree of readiness of the Force, the timely deployment of ships to form a second SEVENTH Fleet Amphibious Ready Group on short notice; the efficiency and dispatch with which new ships and units have been introduced into the Force and deployed for operations, and his extremely valuable contributions to Force plans and to the determination of future Force levels. His leadership and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.