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 (Coast Artillery Corps) John Burke Murphy, 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 Commanding Officer of the 44th Field Artillery Regiment, Coast Artillery Corps, by his marked ability, energy, and resourcefulness, Colonel Murphy organized, equipped and trained a regiment of 8-inch howitzers in an extraordinary brief period of time, thus enabling them to reach the front in time to be of valuable service during the critical days of April 1918. Later, as a member of the Operations Section at General Headquarters, he rendered services of great value to the American Expeditionary Forces.