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) Earl James Atkisson, 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 Atkisson organized and trained the 1st Gas Regiment in a type of warfare new to the American Army and directed the operations of that regiment with marked distinction during the St. Mihiel and Argonne-Meuse offensives of the First American Army.