The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain George R. Cooper, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Destroyer Division Commander during the seizure of Attu and Kiska Islands in the Territory of Alaska. Captain Cooper exercised operational control of all screening vessels in the Massacre Bay area. Through skillful direction the control ship and assault waves were able to steer their courses through numerous hazards and reach the beach safely, despite dense fog. Attacked by submarines, his division damaged one and probably sank another.