The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Rear Admiral Edward C. Allen, Jr., United States Coast Guard, for meritorious achievement of service, not involving aerial flight in connection with operations against an opposing armed force as Gunnery Officer and Navigator on board the attack troop transport LEONARD WOOD, in the invasions of North Africa and Sicily, and in the Pacific invasions of the Gilberts, Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Palau, Saipan, Leyete Gulf, and Lingayan Gulf from 1942 to 1945.