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 (Quartermaster Corps) William G. Ball, 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, in organizing and directing the Bakery Service of the Quartermaster Corps, American Expeditionary Forces, including the personal supervision of mechanical bakeries at Is-Sur-Tille, Bordeaux, Brest, and St. Nazaire, France. By his experience, initiative, and unremitting efforts Colonel Ball brought this important service to a high degree of efficiency in training of personnel, equipment of units, and the prompt supply of soft white bread to the armies of the American Expeditionary Forces in France, thereby contributing materially to the success of the American Expeditionary Forces.