The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Michael C. Lucarelli, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia, from June 2001 to June 2002. Captain Lucarelli displayed exceptional leadership and extraordinary professionalism during complex and demanding joint/combined operations in which U.S. Air Force units deployed on strikes in Afghanistan. With only days to plan and prepare, he expertly coordinated the complete standup of support facilities on Diego Garcia to accommodate a variety of strike and tanker aircraft. Captain Lucarelli meticulously developed and coordinated extensive contingency planning for the defense of Diego Garcia, employing navy warship, strike-fighters, and patrol aircraft, as well as staff personnel trained in anti-terrorism and force protection. The result of his efforts yielded the movement of literally millions of gallons of fuel, millions of tons of ammunition, and hundreds of personnel without incident or injury, providing outstanding support to British, Australian, Japanese, New Zealand, Korean, and American military assets. When an Air Force B-1st Battalion crashed in the waters eighty miles north of Diego Garcia, he immediately dispatched medical and at-sea rescue personnel to U.S.S. RUSSELL (DDG-59) to assist in the successful recovery of the aircrew. By his outstanding leadership, commendable innovation, and inspiring devotion to duty, Captain Lucarelli reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.