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 Colonel (Ordnance Corps) James C. Heckman, 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 Chief, Storage Operations Section, Supply Division, Office of the Chief of Ordnance, and later as Chief of Supply Division, Colonel Heckman assisted in formulating the general scheme of ordnance storage depots and planned and operated with marked success those assigned to the Ordnance Department. His sound judgment, wide business experience, and administrative ability, contributed in a material way to the successful operations of the Ordnance Department.