The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Commodore Lawrence Fairfax Reifsnider (NSN: 0-7250), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Transport Group, South Pacific, during operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area, from 7 August 1942 to 15 July 1943. Participating in the initial occupation of Guadalcanal-Tulagi on 7 August 1942, Commodore Reifsnider subsequently commanded task units re-entering the enemy-infested waters adjacent to these islands, carrying reinforcements and supplies for the American garrison on Guadalcanal. Despite frequent attacks by enemy aircraft, submarines and shore batteries, he handled the units under his command with such superb tactical skill and courageous determination that each mission was completed without loss or damage to any ship in his group. His gallant leadership and unswerving devotion to duty were an inspiration to his command and contributed in large measure to the success of our forces in that vital area. (Commodore Reifsnider is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)