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 to Rear Admiral Charles Peshall Plunkett, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I, as Director of Gunnery Exercises. Rear Admiral Plunkett supervised the production, transportation to Europe, and the placing in action on the Western Front of the United States Naval Gun Battalion of five 14-inch guns on railway mounts, the most powerful artillery weapons brought into action against Germany and her allies during the war. In this stupendous undertaking, the successful accomplishment of which had an important bearing on the outcome of the war, Rear Admiral Plunkett displayed technical knowledge of a high order, combined with practical knowledge of the needs of the service and the difficulties to be encountered. He worked with unceasing zeal and devotion, rendering a service of rare distinction to the American Expeditionary Force during World War I.