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) Monroe Crawford Kerth, 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 Military AttachŽ at Petrograd, Russia, from 1 September 1917 to 1 February 1918, Colonel Kerth performed his exacting duties with marked ability under most trying circumstances. As Director of the Army General Staff College, American Expeditionary Forces, by his high professional attainments and unfailing energy, he rendered service of inestimable worth in connection with the instruction and training of officers for General Staff Duty. Later, as a member of the Training and Instruction Branch, War Plans Division, General Staff, he demonstrated sound judgment, great breadth of vision, and keen foresight in the solution of the various difficult problems with which he was confronted.