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 Corporal Thaddeus R. Hyatt, United States Army, for capturing two of the worst criminals in Puerto Rico, on 8 November 1898, near Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, while serving as a member of Company L, 19th Infantry Regiment.