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 General Peyton Conway March, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Commanding General of the Army Artillery of the 1st Army from 4 October 1917 to 31 January 19189, General March initiated and prepared the plans for the organization of the Artillery of the American Army in France; as Acting Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army from 2 March 1918 to 20 May 1918, and as Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army (General, U.S. Army), after 20 May 1918, he performed with intelligence, zeal, and patriotic devotion, duties of inestimable value in the development, the direction and the carrying into effect of the military program of the United States.