The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to General of the Army Dwight David Eisenhower (ASN: 0-3822), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander-in-Chief, Allied Expeditionary Force, North African Theater of Operations, November 1942. Responsible for the overall command and coordination of combined air, sea and land forces in simultaneous assaults on Casablanca, Oran and Algiers, General of the Army Eisenhower initiated the first major combined offensive action in the European Theater of War. Under his brilliant leadership, the largest mechanized army to have landed on a hostile shore achieved an objective which placed northern and western Africa in Allied control. The success of this expedition, which influenced the international situation in Europe and the strategic situation in Europe and the strategic situation in the Mediterranean, was due in large measure to General of the Army Eisenhower’s sound judgment, careful planning and outstanding skill as a diplomat. His distinguished service reflects the highest credit upon himself and the forces which he commanded.