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 (Coast Artillery Corps) Walter C. Baker, 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 Assistant and Executive Assistant to the Chief of Transportation Service from 15 April 1918 to 4 October 1920. In this position Colonel Baker demonstrated unusual executive and administrative ability, sound judgment and untiring energy, and contributed in a marked degree to the successful operations of the Transportation Service.