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 Colonel (Adjutant General’s Corps) Benjamin Alvord, Jr., United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Adjutant General of the American Expeditionary Forces during the beginning of its organization, Colonel Alvord’s long experience, good judgment, and breadth of vision were of great value in the establishment of the innumerable activities of the Adjutant General’s Department of the American Expeditionary Force.