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 Brigadier General Alfred G. Balfour, Royal British Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, during World War I. As Commander of the Embarkation Area of the Port of Southampton, by his earnest spirit of cooperation with the American authorities at the Port of Southampton, General Balfour rendered valuable assistance, offering them every facility at his command for the proper handling of the important problem of troop shipments.