The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral (Retired) Augustin Toutant Beauregard (NSN: 0-6501), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. Rear Admiral Beauregard was the first officer of the U.S. Navy to be Chief of the Naval Mission to Brazil and Commandant of the Naval Operating Base in Rio de Janeiro. He served in this capacity from June 1941 until 1 December 1942, when he was incapacitated for active duty due to illness. During this period Rear Admiral Beauregard was outstanding in the performance of his duty. Due to his familiarity with the people and language of Brazil, coupled with his tact and professional ability, he was able to inaugurate a new era of U.S. Naval prestige in Rio that was far in excess of what had previously existed, his work being far beyond the normal expectation of duty. This officer represented, in addition to his other duties, the Commander South Atlantic Force directly with the President of Brazil and his Ministers, thereby being of the most valuable assistance to the Force Commander in getting the maximum war effort from the Brazilian government for the successful conduct of the campaign in the South Atlantic.