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 in lieu of the Certificate of Merit previously issued to Private Arthur L. Walker, Jr., United States Army, for saving the life of a fellow soldier when the latter was thrown into the water by the capsizing of a canoe, at the risk of his own life, at Robbins Pond, Camp Devens, Massachusetts, on 4 May 1918, while serving as a member of Headquarters Company, 301st Infantry Regiment, 76th Division.