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 (Transportation Corps) Van Rensselaer C. King, 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 General Superintendent of Transportation, American Expeditionary Forces, and as Transportation Representative with the Armistice Commission, Colonel King organized and successfully installed a central car record and a system for distributing rolling stock which were of incalculable value to the American Expeditionary Forces.