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 (Medical Corps) Bailey K. Ashford, 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 Director of the Army Sanitary School, by his individual energy, ability, and vision, Colonel Ashford placed at the disposal of the American Expeditionary Forces the experience and training facilities of the medical services of the French Armies and of the British Expeditionary Forces in France. He organized a system for the training of officers of the medical service of the Army of the United States in their duties at the front which contributed to a remarkable degree to the success attained in the treatment and evacuation of battle casualties.