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 (Cavalry) Paul A. Hurst (ASN: 0-320022), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in the Southwest Pacific from 14 November 1944 to 17 August 1945.