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 Brigadier General John M. T. Finney, 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. General Finney rendered distinguished services in the organization of surgical teams, for the purpose of affording expert surgical aid to the wounded in the immediate vicinity of the battlefield. He has done much to standardize the practice of surgery in war, and giving so freely of his professional experience and skill he has in many ways rendered services of exceptional value to the Government.