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 (Judge Advocate General) James S. Easby-Smith, 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, in connection with the administration of the Selective Service law during the war. To all of the tasks assigned to him Colonel Easby-Smith brought an indefatigable energy and rare unselfish devotion, without which their accomplishment would have been impossible.