The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting Legion of Merit to Commodore Ellis Reed-Hill, United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief, Public Information Division, U.S. Coast Guard from 1 August 1940, to 11 October 1945. Building up and supervising a corps of trained experts he aided the wartime program of the Coast Guard by informing the public of its work, supplying quick release of information and photographs to news-disseminating agencies while keeping within the bounds of military security. Directing the staff at headquarters and throughout the districts during the pre was emergency period and the wartime era, he aided the recruiting program in its 900% increase over pre war status and through explanation information and over effort in obtaining the cooperate on of private individuals, organizations, maritime associations, underwriters and other groups, contributed materially to the success of the Port Security Program with it s volunteer workers. Under his leadership and encouragement photographers motion picture cameramen combat correspondents and artists have acquainted the public with the Coast Guard and have recorded for history its wartime role.