The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Frank W. Laessle, United States Naval Reserve, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States when fierce enemy bombing attacks left our shipping badly damaged and burning during the invasion of Italy in 1944. Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Laessle assumed charge of all salvage operations and skillfully supervised the fire fighting and repair work aboard the damaged vessels. Later, he labored tirelessly to assist in the removal of numerous sunken vessels in the port of Naples, so that our ships were able to use the harbor.