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 (Medical Corps) James L. Bevans, 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. Colonel Bevans served with distinction as Chief Surgeon of the Third Army Corps, where he solved important problems of sanitation and evacuation with conspicuous success. He showed marked administrative ability during the final phases of the Argonne-Meuse offensive, when, through his sound judgment and efficient supervision of the medical and sanitary services under his direction, many lives were saved, thereby rendering valuable service to the American Expeditionary Forces.