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.