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 Private Earnest Stokes, United States Army, for most distinguished gallantry while serving as a member of Company F, 24th Infantry Regiment, in action at Naguillan, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 7 December 1899.