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 (Field Artillery) William E. Shepherd, Jr., 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 Assistant Chief of Staff, 3d Section, of the 5th Army Corps, and as Chief of Staff of Artillery of that Corps, by his marked military attainments and devotion to his exacting duties, Lieutenant Colonel Shepherd ably planned the employment of the Corps of Artillery in its operations against the enemy, rendering services of great worth to the American Expeditionary Forces.