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 (Field Artillery) Upton Birnie, 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 principal assistant in the Operations Section, General Headquarters, American Expeditionary Forces, Colonel Birnie has by his thorough military knowledge, loyalty, and devotion to duty materially assisted in attaining the success of that section of the General Staff.