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 Lieutenant Colonel (Corps of Engineers) Thurman J. Howerton, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from July 1970 to May 1971. [This award supersedes the Meritorious Service Medal awarded to Lieutenant Colonel Thurman J. Howerton for meritorious service during the period July 1970 to May 1971, as announced in General Orders No. 188, Headquarters, First United States Army, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, 21 May 1971.]