The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain (CEC) Ivan A. Bickelhaupt, United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States,. As Resident Engineer, Kodiak and as Construction Officer on the staff of Commander Alaskan Sector from July 1942 to September 1943 he supervised the planning, procurement, and construction of Naval Facilities and Naval Bases throughout the Alaskan Sector. With outstanding ability, foresight, and leadership he overcame difficulties of procurement, inadequate transportation, and the vicissitudes of sub-arctic weather conditions to complete the construction of these facilities and bases in time for them to be an important factor in ejecting the enemy from the North Pacific. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.