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 Sergeant George J. Oden, United States Army, for distinguished gallantry as a member of the 36th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Volunteers, in action near Mangaperen, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 28 November 1899.