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 Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) Louis J. Fortier (ASN: 0-6621), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as military attachŽ at the American Legation, Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in April 1941. Lieutenant Colonel Fortier was charged with the mission of making contact first with the Yugoslav Prime Minister at Zvornik and, later, with the German authorities in Hungary with a view to ending the bombardment of Belgrade. From 8 April to 12 April, Lieutenant Colonel Fortier drove through battle and devastated areas under frequent bombing and aerial machine gun fire, and, in order to enter Hungary traveled on horse, on foot, and on a railroad section handcar through 30 kilometers of the demolished zone. Lieutenant Colonel Fortier combined to a marked degree the qualities of diplomat and soldier and by his initiative and prompt and forceful action successfully accomplished his mission, and his activities are credited by the American Minister with having resulted in causing the terrific bombardment of Belgrade to be suspended.