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 (General Staff Corps) Leonard P. Ayers, 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 Ayers’ services as Chief of the Division of Statistics, Council of National Defense, as Chief of the Statistics Branch of the General Staff, and Chief Statistical Officer of the American Commission to Negotiate Peace, have been conspicuous. He established the statistical division at General Headquarters, Service of Supply, American Expeditionary Forces.