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 Robert Merrill Lee (ASN: 0-18483), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Deputy Commander for Operations, NINTH Air Force, in the European Theater of Operations from August 1944 to March 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Lee and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.