The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Hugh St. Claire Sease, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of Air Centers in the Solomon Islands, Espiritu Santo and Bougainville in 1942 and 1943. Captain Sease contributed materially to the success attained by Allied air operations. While serving as Commander Air Center, Solomon Islands, he was responsible for the coordination of all aircraft operating facilities on Guadalcanal, Tulagi and Russell Islands.