The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting Legion of Merit to Commander Reginald Hicks French, 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 U.S. Atlantic Fleet anti-submarine task group while engaged in offensive action against the enemy during World War II. Throughout the prolonged search for an enemy submarine known to be operating in a general area the task group displayed outstanding teamwork and coordination in carrying out an effective and persistent search which finally located the enemy. Under his continued supervision and direction ships of the task group participated in a series of coordinated attacks which probably resulted in the destruction of the submarine as evidenced by the large quantity of oil and debris brought to the surface.