The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Charles Clifford Hartman, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in July 1943. As commander of a destroyer squadron during the assault on Sicily, Captain Hartman provided vital fire support and subsequently directed his forces with expert professional skill while in range of enemy shore artillery. His splendid leadership under extremely harassing conditions contributed greatly to the protection of the transport area.



