The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Edward H. Fritzsche, United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, both in the preparation and execution of the amphibious assault on the coast of France on 6 June 1944. Captain Fritzche was in command of a main group of the Assault Force, composed of a mixed fleet of American and British transports and American landing craft. He brought these ships an craft to their predetermined stations in the transport area, successfully effected their prompt and efficient unloading and expedited the assault troops and equipment to the designated beaches.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Edward H. Fritzsche, United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard transport U.S.S. SAMUEL CHASE prior to and during the amphibious invasion of Southern France on 15 August 1944. He efficiently organized and trained his ship and boat group to execute the assigned mission of loading transporting to the assault area and landing the embarked Army assault units on the invasion beaches. His able conduct contributed materially to the effective establishment of the beachhead and to the over all success of the invasion.