The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander Delos E. Wait, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Executive Officer of the U.S.S. BLOCK ISLAND (CVE-21), when she was sunk on 29 May 1944. Commander Wait inspected damaged areas, decided on appropriate damage control measures, and designated personnel to effect repairs. But for his initiative and prompt action, about 75 men would have been trapped and probably killed or seriously injured in the final explosion.