The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Dennett K. Ela, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 16 March 1958 to 4 August 1960, as Head, Launching and Handling Branch, Special Projects Office. As a member of the nucleus staff of the Special Projects Office, Captain Ela was responsible for the definition of effort, the establishment of the organization for execution, and the estimation of the resources necessary to achieve the objectives of this program of national scope and concern. In the attainment of this technical breakthrough, he was responsible for both executive and technical contributions to the Fleet Ballistic Missile System.