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 (Signal Corps) Leonard Townsend Gerow, 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 Officer in Charge of the Sales and Disbursing Division of the Signal Corps. With unusual ability and skill, Lieutenant Colonel Gerow conducted the financial affairs of the Signal Corps and handled the negotiations with such tact and energy that Signal Corps property urgently needed was secured, inspected, and delivered to depots with the minimum of delay. Later, in the negotiations connected with the disposal of Signal Corps plants and stocks, he again performed his exacting duties in a highly meritorious manner, thereby rendering services of great value to the American Expeditionary Forces in a position of great responsibility.