The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain (Retired) Russell Sydnor Crenshaw, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Commandant FIFTH Naval District (Task Group 02.5) and in direct charge of the Operating Division from 18 June 1942 to the surrender of Germany, he promptly effected through coordination among various surface and air operating forces, and defense measures in this area including those of the Army and Coast Guard. As the result of his tireless and skillful directions of the various offensive and protective measures in the anti-submarine warfare in this area, convoys were successfully dispatched and received, losses from enemy mines were avoided, and the enemy submarines were constantly hunted and harassed, some sunk and some damaged, with the result that the losses to shipping were kept to a minimum.