The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Chief Pharmacist’s Mate Jack W. Coots, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while attached to the U.S.S. EDWARD RUTLEDGE as Senior Hospital Corpsman of the beach party when his ship was sunk of Fedala, North Africa, 12 November 1942. Chief Pharmacist’s Mate Coots directed and assisted in the removal of the helpless patients. Although wounded in the thigh when the beach party was strafed and bombed, he remained at his post and continued giving treatment to the injured.