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 Rear Admiral Ralph Earle, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I, as Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance, Navy Department, during the World War, in which position, by his close cooperation and energetic efforts, he greatly assisted the War Department in the arming of its troops and cargo transports.