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 Musician William F. Gannon, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry while serving as a member of Company L, 8th Infantry Regiment, in action against Pulajanes near La Paz, Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 5 December 1906.