The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Charles P. Coe, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Operations Officer for Commander Aircraft, South Pacific Force, from 21 September 1942 to 30 May 1943. Commander Coe directed the combat aircraft operations conducted by the Allied air forces in repeated attacks against enemy shore installations and shipping, and contributed materially to the destruction of large numbers of Japanese aircraft.