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 Major General Francis Joseph Kernan, 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. General Kernan was entrusted with the important duty of organizing the Services of Supply of the American Expeditionary Forces in France, and the foundation then laid was later successfully carried out to completion. As a member of the War Prisoners’ Commission, Berne, Switzerland, and of the American Section of the Supreme War Council, he has rendered conspicuous services to the Government.