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 Sergeant John W. Ash, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry in action while serving as a member of Company E, 24th Infantry Regiment, against Pulajanes at Tabon-Tabon, Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 24 July 1906.