The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant Colonel (Chemical Corps) Rufus F. Maddux, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Commanding Officer and organizer of the Officers’ Reclassification Depot at Blois, France, from April to July 1918, by his tact, judgment, and untiring energy Lieutenant Colonel Maddux made it a model of efficient organization. Later as Gas Officer of the 5th Army Corps from 5 August to 13 October 1918, he displayed a great resourcefulness, marked efficiency, exceptional initiative, tireless efforts in successfully meeting the unusual demands relating to gas defense of the troops in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives, thereby rendering service of great value to the American Expeditionary Forces.