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 (Quartermaster Corps) Alvin K. Baskette, 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. Colonel Baskette organized and coordinated the several activities of the Salvage Depot at St. Pierre de Corps, which was the largest and most important of such depots in the American Expeditionary Forces. By his zeal, tact, and ability in solving the various labor problems that arose in connection with the employment of many French civilians, he produced a high degree of economic efficiency in the operations of the Salvage Department.