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 Lieutenant Colonel (Coast Artillery Corps) Frederick Arthur Mountford, 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. As Assistant to the Chief of Coast Artillery and in charge of the materiel Section in that office, Lieutenant Colonel Mountford displayed excellent judgment and a thorough knowledge of the involved and intricate details in connection with materiel, thereby rendering highly meritorious service in the preparation and execution of plans for the efficient accomplishment of the duties assigned to the Coast Artillery Corps in the operations in France.