The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Commander Ralph S. Moore, United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as commander of a group of ships engaged in operations for the capture of enemy-held islands from 15 June 1944 to 12 August 1944. Commander Moore caused his vessels to operate in dangerous and poorly charted waters to chart and clear them of mines. In addition, he directed most successfully the employment of his vessels in inshore patrolling thus contributing materially to the success of the operation.