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 Mary Vail Andres, a United States Civilian, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility in the American Red Cross during World War I. On her own initiative Mary Andres organized and efficiently developed and administered the work of the American Red Cross at Toule, France. Under her wise supervision this work grew from the ministering and supplying of small comforts to soldiers passing through in hospital trains to an undertaking of extensive proportions, which has aided and cheered thousands of men in the service. In the performance of her exacting tasks, she has displayed marked foresight and sound judgment, with untiring personal devotion to the interests and comfort of those whom she served.