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 Lieutenant Colonel (Corps of Engineers) John Neal Hodges, 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 in Command of the 6th Engineer Regiment, 3d Division, attached to the British Expeditionary Forces, from 11 February to 1 April 1918, during which time the Regiment was engaged in the construction of heavy bridges on the Somme and on fortification and combat duty, because of his high professional ability, his great energy and devotion to duty Lieutenant Colonel Hodges contributed materially to the accomplishments of the forces engaged in those operations.