The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Lawrence J. Bernard, United States Coast Guard Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Special Assistant to the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, Washington, D.C. Captain Bernard, by the exercise of exceptional diligence, extraordinary coordinating ability, and untiring devotion to duty, has made an outstanding contribution to the effective administration of highly important Coast Guard activities in time of war. His performance in the able discharge of the many duties delegated to him, in aiding and counseling the Commandant, in shaping and correlating policies and procedures and in securing the cooperation of industry, labor and other Government agencies has been a very important factor in the successful discharge by Coast Guard in wartime of its responsibilities relating to Merchant Marine personnel, maritime labor, and the river and inland waters transportation industry.