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 Cook Wilmer Harrison Hawk, United States Army, for voluntarily entering a closed place and removing sacks of powder that were in close proximity to burning powder and smoldering debris, at the risk of his own life, thereby preventing further disaster after the explosion at Fort Monroe, Virginia, on 21 July 1910, while serving as a member of the 69th Company, Coast Artillery Corps.