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 (Corps of Engineers) Allen Steele Peck, 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 an officer of the Forestry Service, Lieutenant Colonel Peck displayed exceptional tact and sound judgment in securing public and private grants for large quantities of timber from the French Government. At all times he pursued his task with great energy, achieving signal success. He organized and administered a project for the production of fuel wood, which proved entirely successful. In these endeavors he rendered valuable service to the American Expeditionary Forces.