The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting Legion of Merit to Captain Charles W. Harwood, United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of a Naval Task Group during the amphibious assault on the Island of Sicily in 1943. In addition to his duty as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. JOSEPH T. DICKMAN, Captain Harwood commanded the Naval Task Group, which landed battalions directly on the beaches fronting Gela, Sicily. By his sound judgment in planning, thorough indoctrination of his forces, and by his cool and skillful leadership under fire the assault battalions were expeditiously landed and supported, thereby greatly contributing to the success of the invasion.