The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Rear Admiral James D. Craik, United States Coast Guard, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of the EIGHTH Coast Guard District, New Orleans, during and following Hurricane BETSY which struck a densely populated area on the Gulf Coast of the United States from 8 to 15 September 1965. Rear Admiral Craik personally directed his forces in the rescue of 12,000 persons from positions of peril.