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 Michael J. Delaney, United States Army, for bravery in rescuing a comrade from drowning at Fort McKinley, Maine, on 30 April 1913, while serving as a member of the 24th Company, Coast Artillery Corps.