The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Commander John Theodore Stanley, United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving as Munitions Officer, Port Security Command. Third Naval District during fire fighting operations aboard the S.S. EL ESTERO loaded with a cargo of explosives, in New York Harbor on 24 April 1943. Realizing the ever present danger of an explosion, Lieutenant Commander Stanley boarded the burning vessel and for three hours heroically directed a large detail of men engaged in controlling and extinguishing the fire. By his calm and courageous leadership, he inspired the personnel under his command and skillfully coordinated their activities, thereby preventing an explosion, which might have done incalculable damage to other vessels and vital installations in the harbor.