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 (Tank Corps) William H. Clopton, 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. By his special knowledge of personal matters, untiring zeal, good judgment and administrative ability, Colonel Clopton was largely responsible for the solution of many difficult problems in the organization and operation of the Personnel Branch Office of the Quartermaster General, especially in the organization of the technical field units of the Quartermaster Corps. Later, as Colonel, Tank Corps, he rendered conspicuous service in the establishment of tank schools and in the training of technical troops therein while commanding tank training camps at Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, and Camp Polk, North Carolina.