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 Artificer Jesse E. Parker, United States Army, for brave and faithful conduct while serving as a member of Company D, 24th Infantry Regiment, in assisting a wounded officer to a place of safety while exposed to a severe fire at Santiago, Cuba, on 1 July 1898.