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 John P. O’Keefe, United States Army, for imperiling his life in rescuing a drowning militiaman at American Lake, Washington, on 19 August 1908, while serving as a member of Company M, 3d Infantry Regiment.