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 (Field Artillery) Francis A. Ruggles, 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 a Battalion Commander during the Aisne-Marne offensive, 18 – 25 July 1918, and as a Regimental Commander during the St. Mihiel offensive, 13 – 19 September 1918, and the Meuse-Argonne offensive, 30 September 1918 to 8 November 1918. In all of these offensives Colonel Ruggles displayed conspicuous efficiency, marked aggressiveness, and unusual leadership. By his exceptional technical and executive ability he solved with sound judgment many perplexing problems, and although much handicapped by severe losses in men, materiel, and animals he at all times so commanded his regiment as to render invaluable support to the attacking Infantry, thus materially adding to the success of the operations of the 1st Division.