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 Vice Admiral Howard Leroy Vickery, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. Vice Admiral Vickery, as Deputy Administrator of the War Shipping Administration and as Vice Chairman of the United States Maritime Commission from 1941 to 1945, contributed in an outstanding manner to our timely and successful conclusion of the war by supervising and directing the procurement of materials and facilities for the construction of merchant shipping in quantities which surpassed any prior concept of our shipbuilding capabilities. It was largely his efforts in expeditious procurement and judicious planning that made possible the construction of the largest merchant fleet ever assembled and insured the adequate and punctual supply of men and material to all theaters of operations. The services of Admiral Vickery were of exceptional value to the War Department and were consistent with the highest traditions of the military service.