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 (Coast Artillery Corps) Forrest Estey Williford, 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. Colonel Williford served with marked efficiency as Director of the Trench Artillery School at Langres and Commandant of the Trench Artillery Center at Vitrey. Later, as Chief of the Trench Artillery Section in the Office of the Chief of Artillery, American Expeditionary Forces, he initiated the plans of and controlled the training of this important branch of the Artillery arm with exceptional ability, rendering services of inestimable value to the American Expeditionary Forces.