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 Mr. Henry P. Davison, a United States Civilian, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States in a duty of great responsibility as Chairman, War Council, American Red Cross, during World War I. Mr. Davison assumed general direction of the war measures of that society, and by the exercise of rare tact and consummate powers of construction and direction brought it to a perfection of organization, which made it possible to extend relief promptly and bountifully to our armies and to those of the allied nations. His dynamic qualities as a financier and his forceful personality assured to the soldier in the field and to the inhabitants of the devastated countries of Europe systematized measures of relief beyond the limits of specific statement.