The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Edward Ellsberg, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from 8 January 1942 to 5 April 1943. Working with tireless energy at a task considered in some respects as hopeless, Captain Ellsberg achieved remarkable results in the salvaging and repair of vital naval equipment. Having rehabilitated the Massawa (Eritreat) Naval Base ships, he made possible extensive dry-docking operations for the benefit of all types of Allied shipping.