The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Charles Bittinger (NSN: 0-34354), United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving in the Bureau of Ships as Head of the Camouflage Section, where he was personally responsible for the design of camouflage measures for all types of vessels during World War II. During the emergency period and until a sufficient staff could be built up he carried on this work single-handedly, requiring long hours over and above that normally expected even under emergency conditions. Because of his inventive and artistic genius he contributed greatly to the art of camouflage for naval vessels and because of his great devotion to duty he made the results available to the forces afloat much earlier than ordinarily would have been expected. His performance of duty was marked by great zeal, ingenuity and devotion to duty far beyond that normally expected or required. Since camouflage was a distinct necessity for all naval vessels and since he was the outstanding expert in this art, and because of the manner in which he performed his duties in this connection, his contribution to the successful prosecution of the war was significant and deserving of the highest praise.