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 (Ordnance Corps) Benjamin A. Franklin, 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, as Production Manager and Assistant Chief of the Bridgeport Ordnance District, in which capacity he maintained at all times the greatest degree of intelligent and enthusiastic cooperation between the Ordnance Department and manufacturers in his district, thereby attaining the maximum production of munitions in a minimum of time, and also as Chairman of the Bridgeport Ordnance District Claims Board, in which capacity his services have been invaluable to the Nation in adjusting equitably the $346,000,000 worth of outstanding contracts in his district in force at the signing of the Armistice.