Legion ofMerit

chapter 3 to love and serve

legion of merit

the legion of merit, established by act of congress 20 july 1942, is awarded to any member of the armed forces of the united states or a friendly foreign nation who has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The performance must have been such as to merit recognition ofkey individuals for service rendered in a clearly exceptional manner.

laurence m. brock, s.j.

Laurence M. Brock, 0403400, Captain, Chaplain Corps, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance ofoutstanding services in the South Pacific Area, during the period ofFebruary 1942 to September 1943. As Chaplain ofa regiment bivouacked in an area ofover fifty miles at an advanced base, Captain Brock travelled to his men under the most adverse conditions to carry out his own duties and those ofSpecial Service Officer prior to the time that the Table ofOrganization provided an officer for that duty. This presented Captain Brock with the problem ofextending his normal work to include such arrangements as the operation and upkeep ofmotion picture apparatus, and the organization and direction ofamateur theatricals. The cumulative effect ofhis good work was clearly evidenced by the high morale ofthe regiment upon its entry into active combat. In his unceasing efforts to carry the word ofGod to troops fighting in perilous forward areas Captain Brock disdained all hazards and expended his every effort. The altruistic, courageous quality ofhis superlative work was best illustrated at Christmas time, 1942, when he traversed from foxhole to foxhole under hostile sniper fire to receive confessions and thus administer religious solace to men.