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 (Field Artillery), [then Brigadier General] Harry McKenzie Roper (ASN: 0-15176), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General, Artillery, X Corps, from December 1944 to August 1945. (This award supersedes the award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Roper, for service from 21 December 1944 to 17 April 1945, as published in General Orders 217, General Headquarters, United States Army Forces, Pacific, 2 October 1945.)