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 in lieu of the Certificate of Merit previously issued to Private Lucius A. Allen, United States Army, for most distinguished courage and bravery beyond the call of duty while serving as a member of Company D, 12th Cavalry Regiment, in continuing his efforts to save a drowning comrade after having been seized and almost drowned himself in the Rio Grande River, near Donna, Texas, on 27 May 1914.