The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant Noel Davis, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as Aid to Commander, Mine Force, in connection with the construction of the North Sea Barrage, and later as Commander of a Division of mine sweepers engaged in the difficult and hazardous operation of sweeping for and removing mines of this barrage under exceptionally difficult conditions during World War I.