The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Ingram Cecil Sowell (NSN: 0-7944), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commandant, Naval Operating Base, Bermuda, with additional duties as Task Group Commander in the Atlantic Fleet and as Deputy of the Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet during operations against enemy forces from April 1943 to September 1944. Demonstrating outstanding leadership, Rear Admiral Sowell supervised the Fleet Base, maintained excellent relations with civil and military authorities and performed outstanding service in the conduct of escort, salvage and rescue operations, farthing unity of command and contributing materially to the curtailment of the submarine menace. His judgment and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Rear Admiral Ingram Cecil Sowell (NSN: 0-7944), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Second in Command of a Fire Support Unit during operations against enemy Japanese forces at Okinawa, from 25 March to 20 April 1945. Directing the movements of his ship through dangerous navigational waters to obtain best positions for the effective bombardment of enemy beach defenses, Rear Admiral Sowell rendered valuable assistance to our invasion troops in the assault and consolidation of the objective and, although under relentless suicide air attacks and the threat of enemy shore batteries, contributed to the destruction of numerous enemy anti-aircraft and closely supported the operations of our minesweepers and demolition teams. His sound tactical knowledge and devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Rear Admiral Sowell is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)