The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Edmund H. Volkart, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Officer-in-Charge of the LCT-277 during the assault on Sicily in July 1943. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Volkart beached his craft and effected immediate repairs when it was struck and damaged by a direct hit from a shore battery. His vessel was able to disembark troops at a critical point of the action.