The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain George E. Maynard, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the invasion of Sicily in 1943. Despite determined opposition, Captain Maynard directed the landing of assault troops, vehicles, and equipment with speed and efficiency. When a bomb started a fire on his ship, his excellently trained command quickly extinguished the blaze.