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 (Infantry) William L. Culberson, 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. Lieutenant Colonel Culberson displayed extraordinary qualities of leadership and ability for organization. While engaged upon another mission he discovered six companies of infantry, which had been ordered to relieve a front-line unit, lost and confused, due to the misdirection of the guides, who had lost their way. Coming upon these companies when the men were beginning to straggle from the ranks, he rallied them, and by his personal efforts alone succeeded in bringing them to their position just before daylight and in time to take part in the pending operation.