The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit (Navy Award) to Captain Nelson Simas de Souza, Brazilian Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during World War II. As Officer-in-Charge of Brazilian personnel during fire-fighting operations on a merchant ship, Captain De Souza skillfully coordinated the work of fire-fighting units and was largely responsible for holding the dock damages to a minimum and for saving the ship from total destruction.