The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander Edward S. Pearce, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while attached to the staff of the Commander, South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force from 16 July 1942 to 22 November 1943. Commander Pearce skillfully trained a section of specialized commissioned and enlisted personnel which was a vital factor in the successful prosecution of the war in the Solomon Islands area.