The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Hiram Baldwin Ely, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of the Field Service Sub-Office during World War II. By application of effective managerial ability, Colonel Ely established, and for two years directed, operations in an exceptionally meritorious manner and with a record of accomplishments which constituted a major contribution to the fulfillment of the overall mission of the Ordnance Department. His office served as a centralized agency for the effective coordination of all Field Service activities in connection with the supply and maintenance of Fire Control and Antiaircraft Artillery matériel. Under his guidance and supervision, the Frankford Ordnance Depot met with an unparalleled operating record—the challenge of a 1,000 per cent increase in business; the problems of maintenance and supply of new matériel were successfully handled; the supply publications were revised and stock properly identified; and a central stock control office for Fire Control and Antiaircraft Artillery materiel was created.