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 Brigadier General Mahlon Eugene Gates (ASN: 0-24685), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Director of Construction, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, in the Republic of Vietnam, during the period from September 1966 to November 1967. [This award supersedes award of the Legion of Merit for meritorious service from September 1966 to April 1967, as announced in General Orders Number 1795, Headquarters, United States Army, Vietnam, dated 19 April 1967.]