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 (Corps of Engineers) James Gordon Steese, 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 Engineers and in charge of the Personnel, Equipment, Construction, and Maps Division of the Office of the Chief of Engineers, Colonel Steese displayed exceptional ability in handling commissioned personnel matters and developed special apparatus and methods for the production of aerial navigation maps. Since September 1918, the solution of many difficult problems in the organization and operation of the Personnel Branch, General Staff, has been due largely to his special knowledge of personnel matters, his untiring zeal, good judgment, and exceptional administrative ability.