The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Medical Corps) John E. Gordon (ASN: 0-885035), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility from September 1942 to May 1945. (This award supersedes the award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Gordon, for service from 14 September 1942 to 18 May 1945, as published in General Orders 214, Headquarters European Theater of Operations, 30 August 1945.)