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 First Sergeant Benjamin F. Longacre, United States Army, for saving a comrade from drowning at the risk of his own life at Louisville, Colorado, on 8 July 1914, while serving as a member of Troop F, 12th Cavalry Regiment.