The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Melville E. Eaton, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of a transport during the landing at Empress Augusta Bay during World War II. Captain Eaton maneuvered his ship through hazardous waters of unknown shoals toward the assigned unloading anchorage. Although his vessel was seriously damaged by dive bombers, his gallant command repelled the planes, effected emergency repairs and completed unloading in record time.