The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Commander Nelson C. McCormick, 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 a Coast Guard Cutter during action against an enemy German submarine off the Florida coast 11 to 13 June 1942. Proceeding to the area where a hostile submarine had been located, he began a determined search in cooperation with Coast Guard patrol planes. The cutter tracked her target doggedly and forced the sub to remain submerged for long intervals until the appearance of continuing oil slicks debris and clothing gave evidence of the probable destruction of the hostile vessel.