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 (Infantry) Harry A. Hegeman, 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. With technical skill and great energy Colonel Hegeman organized a large force of trained workmen for the repair of motor transports. He restored to service a great mass of accumulated dead transportation of all kinds and types, and kept in operation much transportation by timely repair. By his untiring efforts the motor transportation was maintained at such a standard as to become an important factor in the successes achieved by the American Expeditionary Forces.