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 (Corps of Engineers) Ernest Dichmann Peek, 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. Colonel Peek organized and conducted the operations of the standard gauge and light railways of the 1st Army during its active operations resulting in the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient and the recovery of the extensive Meuse-Argonne area. Although handicapped by lack of personnel and material, he pushed the enterprise to success. By untiring, painstaking, and energetic efforts in the use of the inadequate means at his disposal, he displayed unusual talent for organization and masterful execution.