The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain George Francis Mentz, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander of a Task Group of mine-layers during the assault on Sicily in 1943. Captain Mentz skillfully directed the laying of mines to protect the anchorage although the area was under bombing attack and in danger of artillery fire. He completed the assignment with speed and efficiency.