The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Joy Bright Hancock (NSN: 0-213486), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director of the Women’s Reserve of the Naval Reserve from July 1946 to October 1948, and as Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Women from October 1948 to June 1953. Exercising organizational and administrative ability of the highest caliber, Captain Hancock served with distinction throughout the transition period in which women became a regular component of the United States Navy and was eminently successful in initiating the basic plans and in overcoming the many varied and complex problems which confronted her during the inaugural stages incident to establishing the women as an integral part of the Naval Service. A resourceful and inspiring leader, she was directly instrumental in the formulation of plans and policies affecting the selection and training of the women, together with their utilization, administration, welfare and housing. Skillfully welding the personnel under her leadership into a highly efficient unit, she maintained a coordinated and effective command and contributed immeasurably to the success achieved by women in the various fields to which they were assigned throughout the naval service. Her outstanding professional skill, sound judgment, and unswerving devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Captain Hancock and the United States Naval Service.