The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander (MC) Charles F. Flower, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. As Medical Officer aboard the U.S.S. ASTORIA (CA-34) during the battle of Savo Island, 9 August 1942, Commander Flower improvised a dressing station while a severe fire raged about it. Later, when the wounded were transferred to a destroyer, he supervised the installation of temporary operating stations and continued administering treatments.