The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting Legion of Merit to Commander Garrett Van A. Graves, 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 Ice Information Detachment and later as Chief of Staff, Commander Greenland Patrol from February 1942, to late October 1943. Through his broad and extensive knowledge of ice conditions and movements, Commander Graves efficiently established and organized the Ice Information Detachment, at all times keeping united nations ships in the area accurately informed of vital hydrographic conditions. By his efforts and outstanding devotion to duty he achieved a better understanding between Canadian and American armed forces and contributed to the maintenance of a more thorough defense of this vital area.