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 Colonel (Corps of Engineers) Ralph Talbot Ward, 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 Chief of the Operations Subsection G-3, 1st Army, Colonel Ward was given the responsibility of drawing up plans, preparing orders, making personal reconnaissances, and insuring mutual relations with adjacent armies. He fulfilled these functions with exceptional ability, and his work was largely responsible for the successes achieved during the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives.