The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Commander Desmond K. O’Connor, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as an officer attached to the U.S.S. COLE (DD-155) during the assault on Safi, French Morocco, 8 – 11 November 1942. Lieutenant Commander O’Connor contributed in large measure to the success of the operations while in charge of the deck force. He directed the disembarking operations of Army and Navy patrols.