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 (Ordnance Corps) James Henry Burns, 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, first as Chief of the Explosives Branch, Design Section, Gun Division, in which capacity he was charged with the production of sufficient explosives, propellants, and shell loading for the needs of the American Government and her allies; and later as Chief of the Explosives Section, Production Division with securing the necessary production of explosives, propellants and assembly of ammunition to meet the needs of America.