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 Lieutenant Colonel (Motor Transport Corps) Will H. Brown, 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 Chief Motor Transport Officer, Base Section No. 1, St. Nazaire, France, Lieutenant Colonel Brown was charged with the important duty of the receipt of motor transportation arriving from overseas, the general supervision and operations of large reception parks where motor vehicles were set up and made ready for service, and for the instruction and direction of the personnel of convoys distributing vehicles to division, corps, and army troops. The grave responsibilities thus placed upon Colonel Brown were carried out by him in a signally successful way. He displayed unusual initiative, sound judgment, and high professional skill, contributing in a very material way to the successful operations of the American forces in France.