The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) James Judson Heriot, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. During the action of the 25th Infantry Division against the Japanese on Guadalcanal 10 to 31 January 1943, Colonel Heriot’s employment of his battalion was conducted in spite of serious obstacles in such a sound and intelligent manner that the fire of the battalion was a major factor in the speedy and complete overwhelming of the enemy. Without his thorough technical knowledge imparted to his battalion during months of training prior to combat, the employment of the medium battalion would have been far less successful in contributing to the victory of the entire division. This success was not possible without careful planning on the part of the battalion commander or the exercise by him of a high degree of leadership. Neither would it have been possible without the fostering of the proper spirit and will in all ranks which refused to be stopped by any obstacles or difficulties.