The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Donald C. Beard (NSN: 0-59377), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in the Readiness Division of the Headquarters of Commander in Chief, United States Fleet during the period March 1943 to August 1945. During this long period by the exercise of sound judgment, broad vision, and superior professional ability, he performed outstanding services in assisting in the formulation of policies, means and methods for procurement and training of electronics personnel and in rendering valuable assistance in the formulation of the plans and policies that kept the radar equipment for the Fleet in a high state of readiness for battle. By his untiring efforts he contributed in a great degree to the successful prosecution of the war.