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 (Corps of Engineers) Ernest Graves, Jr. (ASN: 0-26473), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, as Executive Officer to the Secretary of the Army during the period from February 1967 through August 1968.