The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander Henry H. DeLaureal, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander Task Unit 5.1.4 during MSTS Arctic Operations 1955 in connection with Project 572 (Central Group) from 3 August to 15 September 1955. Commander DeLaureal skillfully carried out the hazardous task of delivering vital cargoes on the beaches of the easternmost sites of the Distant Early Warning Line. Assigned the task of off-loading all cargo at Barter Island, Alaska, under extremely hazardous conditions of heavy ice, fog and snow, he accomplished his assignment with courage and ingenuity.