The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit, in the Degree of Commander (Navy Award) to Vice Admiral Sylvio De Noronha, Brazilian Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Naval AttachŽ at the Brazilian Embassy in Washington, D. C., from April 1944 to September 1945, and as a member of the Intra-American Defense Board.