The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant, Junior Grade [then Ensign] Edward F. Hores, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States in the assault on and occupation of French Morocco, 8 – 11 November 1942. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Hores commanded a boat wave of assault troops from a transport and directed the hazardous landing operations, despite the darkness of the beach and the intensity of hostile opposition. Later, as assistant to the beachmaster, he carried out his duties in the face of persistent bombing and strafing attacks by enemy aircraft.