The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting Legion of Merit to Captain Merle A. Gulik, United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Chief, Acting Chief and Chief of the Port Security Division at Coast Guard Headquarters from 28 July 1942 to 1 November 1945. Primarily responsible for the execution of major phases of the vital port security program he rendered inestimable assistance in safeguarding against destruction or damage all essential waterfront facilities and vessels in American ports, thereby insuring the safe passage of millions of men and countless tons of war materials without serious loss. He supervised the drafting of uniform regulations governing the security of vessels in port protection of waterfront facilities and provision of air raids and blackouts along our coasts. In addition he directed the explosive loading supervisory details dispatched to the European and Pacific theaters of war the Port security functions of the Coast Guard’s volunteer Temporary Reserve units and the speedy demobilization of personnel under his command upon the termination of the war. His initiative judgment administrative ability and devotion to duty contributed to the effectiveness of the Coast Guard’s port security activities and the safe and uninterrupted flow of out nation’s manpower and war materials to the battlefronts of the world.