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 Benjamin Delahauf Foulois, United States Army Air Service, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Chief of Air Service of the American Expeditionary Forces during the early organization period, General Foulois displayed great ability and untiring energy in order to place that service on a firm and efficient basis. He conduction intricate negotiations with the French for the procurement of aircraft material, of sites for Air Service installations and of schools of instruction for the Air Service personnel. Similar negotiations were made by him with the English for the assembly of night bombing planes for our Air Service and for instructions of our personnel in English shops and in English aerodromes. Later, he rendered valuable assistance in connection with maintenance of Air Service squadrons at the front.