The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Rufus E. Rose, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Defense Advisor, United States Mission to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and European Regional Organizations and as Deputy Defense Representative, North Atlantic and Mediterranean Areas (DEFREPNAMA), from 15 July 1958 to 12 July 1961. During this period, Rear Admiral Rose was responsible for initiating and expediting the development of Department of Defense views, policies and positions on military, political, economic and financial matters pertaining to the North Atlantic Treaty, the Middle Eastern and other areas under the cognizance of the United States Mission to NATO and the DEFREPNAMA.