The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Commander Ralph M. Pray, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during a period of concentrated action in the Aleutian Islands area during World War II. Lieutenant Commander Pray engaged in numerous search missions, flying hundreds of hours despite adverse weather conditions and by his valuable service and advice coordinated Army and Navy air attacks throughout the essential operations.