The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-08-27
New Haven Captain
 Given Naval Honor
Edward Ellsberg Receives Legion of Merit Medal for
 Rehabilitation Work at Massawa, Eritrea

Captain Edward Ellsberg, USNR, zion of Merit from Rear Admiral James M. Irish, USN, Supervisor of shipbuilding in the New York area, at a ceremony in Admiral Irish's office, II Broadway, New York City.
 Captain Ellsberg, noted engineer, writer and naval salvage expert, re- ceived the decoration, award of which was announced last month, for his services in rehabilitating the naval base at Massawa, Eritrea, which had been wrecked by the Italians before they evacuated the port in 1941.
 Besides the Massawa work Cap tain Ellsberg also was in charge of salvage operations in the North African theater commanded by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and for his work he received letters of commendation from General Eisen- hover, Admiral Harold R. Stark. USN, Commander of American Forces in European waters, and the British Admiralty.
 Because of ill health the captain was obliged to relinquish his Afri- can assignment some months ago and return to the United States on sick leave. He is now on duty as officer in charge of inspection for the Supervisor of Shipbuilding.
 The Legion of Merit citation, signed by Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox, reads as follows:
 For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of out standing service to the Government of the United States in the estab- lishment of a MassaWa Naval Base, Eritrea, from January 8, 1922 to April 5, 1943. Working with tire less energy at task considered In some respects as hopeless of ac- complishment, Captain Ellsberg achieved remarkably successful re- suits in the salvag.ag and repair of vital naval equipment, Having re- habilitated the MassaWa Naval Base ships, he made possible extensive drydocking opertions for the bene- fit of all types of Allied shipping
 On arriving at Massawa, Captain Ellsberg found that the Italians had scuttled more than 20 Axis ships ln the Red Sea harbor. The 10,O0O-ton drydock had bee. sunk after 2OO- pound dynamite bombs were ex- ploded in each of eight water-tight compartments.
 Working with small crew o1 divers and improvised equipment, Captain Ellsberg salvaged many o1 the ships and restored the drydock to service. !.
 He then extended his activities to the North African theater, where, according to 8 commendation rom the British Admiralty, it was large ly owing to Captain Ellsberg's ten acity of purpose and exceptional professional ability" that two Bri- tish warships were salved after they had been torpedoed and lowed into. and. respectively. Both these ships were in very precar- ious condition"
 Captain Ellsberg's knowledge and enterprise have been of the greatest value to the Royal Navy and 1t is with regret that We learn that he has had temporarily to relinquish his duties on account of i'll health.
 Admiral Stark's letter said In part: "The British indicate that you have done a perfectly splendid job and your aid to them constitutes major contribution to the Allied war effort. It is a real joy to add well done to this expression Of gratitude of the Board of Admiralty
 General Eisenhower wrote: Tt IS with greatest regret that approve your request that you be relieved as Principal Salvage Officer of the North African Theater of Opera. tions, but I concur with Admiral Cunningham that the immeasurapie service you have rendered in the past fifteen months entities you to a change in assignment.
 "Your work here has been crown. ed with outstanding success ana speaks for itself as job well done from which you must derive great satisfaction. Through your untiring efforts the ports of North Africa, which are so essential to our efforts here. have been cleared, and num- erous ships have been salvaged. on the eve of your departure, may offer you my personal thanks TOT your outstanding efforts and wish