The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Sheldon W. Brown (NSN: 0-71561), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director of Ships Installations Division in the Bureau of Aeronautics, from 3 July 1950 to 2 July 1953. Captain Brown was assigned at a critical time to solve the serious difficulties of adapting the heavier, faster jet aircraft to the environment of the carriers. Through his inspiring leadership, outstanding initiative, technical proficiency and administrative ability, the developments brought forth in the past three years, such as the adoption of the high capacity steam catapult, the new barricade emergency arrestment device, and the canted deck, have contributed highly to the progress of Naval Aviation. The deeds and achievements of this outstanding naval officer will provide future carriers with greater striking potentialities and operational flexibility, plus a greater increase in safety of operations, than was previously thought possible. His tireless efforts and inspiring devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.