The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Antonio S. Pitre, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while attached to the Mare Island Navy Yard during World War II. Captain Pitre directed the research work of the paint laboratory in developing anti-fouling ship bottom compositions which were far superior to all former paints, eliminated the necessity for using a strategic and extremely expensive material, and effected an enormous saving in fuel oil.