The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Ensign Clyde A. Scheidemantel, United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Engineering Officer of a large landing craft during the assault on Sicily in July 1943. Ensign Scheidemantel showed great initiative and ingenuity in making temporary repairs when a direct shell hit parted the stern anchor cable, fouling the port propeller. Through his perseverance and technical skill, the craft was able to return to base in spite of continued air attack and shell fire.