The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Harry Burris (NSN: 0-58829), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in coordinating the destroy escort building program. By his exceptional administrative leadership, indefatigable energy and splendid technical judgment in supervising the development of the design, the procurement of material and the progress of construction, he inspired all those connected with the program to their greatest effort. The personal efforts of Captain Burris have been a major factor in the accomplishment ahead of schedule of the Navy’s assigned task of building and outfitting 260 destroyer escorts during the calendar year 1943.