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 (Corps of Engineers) Allen Lloyd Keyes, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services on Luzon and Corregidor Islands from 29 January to 5 April 1945. Colonel Keyes, commanding an engineer boat and shore regiment, landed with the first assault wave on the west coast of Zambales Province, Luzon, and immediately organized beach dumps so efficiently that naval shipping was cleared without delay. A week later he established his regiment at the port of Olongapo and began unloading to permanent dumps there. Part of his organization accompanied the assault battalion in the Mariveles landing, and without delay established dumps and connecting roads. While this portion of his regiment was unloading troops at Mariveles, another section was loading men for the assault on Corregidor. Under his direction this two-fold task was accomplished quickly and efficiently. Accompanying initial assault waves ashore and personally supervising unloading during each major amphibious operation in which his regiment was engaged. Colonel Keyes displayed qualities of leadership and organizing ability which markedly contributed to our success in the Southwest Pacific Area.