The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Commander Alphord Hays, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while commanding an LCT flotilla during the invasion of Sicily in July 1943. Surmounting numerous difficulties, Lieutenant Commander Hays developed a high state of efficiency in the units under his command to effect successful landings and cargo unloadings.