The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Robert D. Frey, United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while serving aboard the U.S.S. MAYRANT during an enemy air raid on the harbor of Palermo, Sicily, on 1 August 1943, when bomb hit close to the destroyer exploded ammunition. He steadfastly remained at his station and continued to direct the fire of his battery, probably damaging or destroying one or more of the hostile planes.