The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Charles Clifford Hartman, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as Commandant, Eleventh Naval District, from February 1955 to April 1960. Throughout this period, Rear Admiral Hartman displayed marked qualities of initiative, judgment and tact in carrying out his responsibilities, particularly in the field of public relations in a civilian area with large and important naval interests. He skillfully and effectively promoted harmonious relationships to the mutual benefit of the United States Navy and the civilian communities of the Eleventh Naval District. The cordial relationship existing between the citizenry of northern Mexico and the U.S. Navy is directly attributable to Rear Admiral Hartman’s active interest and diplomacy in promoting a climate of mutual understanding.