Awarded on:

1919

For good services.

Awarded on:

1919

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

British Security Coordination, British Intelligence Service (SIS)

Awarded on:

1946

For services as M16 officer for the U.S. government.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

British Security Coordination, British Intelligence Service (SIS)

Awarded on:

November 14th, 1947

1. Under the provisions of AT 600-45, it is recommended that the Legion of Merit, in appropriate degree, be awarded to Colonel C.H. Ellis, British Army. This recommendation is based upon my personal knowledge of the facts outlined below.
2. During the period 1 January 1942 untill the early part of 1943, Colonel Ellis, as liaison officer between the British Security Coordination in New York City and various intelligence services of the United States Government assisted in the firm establishment and growth of Secret Intelligence Branch of the Office of the Coordinator of Information (COI), predecessor of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). He placed (?) reservedly at our disposal his extensive experience with and intimate knowledge of the British Intelligence Service (SIS), of which he had been an officer for many years. He played a vital part in laying the foundation for an American counterpart of that organization. Colonel Ellis' assistance during the above period of experimentation and growth was invaluable particularly in the absence of any American precedent in the initiation and operation of a clandestine intelligence organization.
3. Throughout the above period Colonel Ellis was a daily visitor to the COI (OSS) offices, where his helpfulness and advice were generously made available to the Secret Intelligence Branch. In addition he also furnished COI (OSS) many times of secret intellugence emenating from British sources. Such intelligence when turned over to the American Armed Forces and the various interested American Governmental Departmens and Agencies proved to be of considerable value in the advancement of military plans and operations.
4. In early 1943 Colonel Ellis was transferred to the principal office of British Security Coordination in New York City. Since that date he has consistend to maintain a close and cooperative contact with various officials of the Office of Strategic Services, which has been of incaloulable assistance to this Agency.
5. At all times the service of Colonel Ellis to this Government has been honorable.

The recommendation for Colonel Ellis for the award of the Legion of Merit was prepared in consultation with Colonel Bruce and submitted to Lieutenant Pitzall for your signature on 18 April.

Rank:

Colonel

Awarded on:

1953

With MiD oak leaf