The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Leo L. Hamilton, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in the planning, development and establishment of a United States Naval Aircraft Maintenance Program during the period July 1946 to July 1959. Exercising unusual diligence, initiative, and resourcefulness, Lieutenant Hamilton worked to devise, develop, and obtain approval for an aircraft maintenance program attuned to current and projected needs of the U.S. Navy, making a valuable contribution to the defense effort of the United States.