The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Ralph Decker Bennett (NSN: 0-77247), United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. Captain Bennett, formerly Professor of Electrical Measurements at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was called to active duty in July 1940 and assigned to the Naval Ordnance Laboratory. Through his earnest and discerning efforts, his wide acquaintance among the engineering and scientific professions and his prominent position in the technical and educational world, Captain Bennett was able to take a leading part in building up the Laboratory from a technical group of about 20 to the present staff of over 700 scientists, including some of the country’s ablest men. His thorough knowledge of theoretical and applied sciences and his excellent administrative ability have contributed greatly to many of the Laboratory’s outstanding technical achievements. He has served as Head of the Laboratory’s Mine Unit, as assistant to the Officer-in-Charge, as Acting Officer-in-Charge, and in these positions he has served the Navy beyond the normal expectation of his assignment and has been largely instrumental in developing the Laboratory’s scientific staff into an able and effective organization. By the manner in which his duties have been performed and by the measure of the success of the Naval Ordnance Laboratory, Captain Bennett has brought distinction upon himself and upon naval ordnance research and development. His devotion to duty and his tireless and effective efforts are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.