The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Colonel (Medical Corps) Edward C. Register, 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, while a member of the Polish Relief Expedition, volunteering for service at Tarnopol, Poland, the entire city being prostrate from the effects of typhus fever, 45 doctors having sacrificed their lives within the preceding two month. Upon arrival at Tarnopol Lieutenant Colonel Register assumed entire charge of the situation, organized and established a 1,500-bed hospital equipped with supplies which had been concealed from enemy forces and found by him. Fifteen days after his arrival in the city he contracted typhus fever and died from its effects on 3 January 1920.