The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit (Navy Award) to Captain Marlano H. Melgar C., Commander-in-Chief of the Peruvian Fleet, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during World War II by his contributions to hemispheric defense and the promotion of continued friendly relations between the two Americas.