The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral Albert G. Cook, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of a Mine Squadron and a Mining Division during the occupation of French Morocco, 8 – 11 November 1942. Captain Cook exercised brilliant leadership in mine sweeping, investigation of reported mine fields, escorting merchant ships, transporting men and material between ports, salvage of torpedoed ships, and the rescue of survivors. All these hazardous duties were handled with a high degree of efficiency.