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 (Medical Corps) Elbert E. Persons, 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 Persons organized the United States Army Ambulance Service Training School at Camp Crane, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and as its Commanding Officer from June 1917 to May 1918, by his great energy, marked executive ability, and wide professional knowledge, succeeded in rapidly training, equipping, and dispatching overseas ambulance units where they rendered excellent service with the French armies and later with our own forces. From June to December 1918, he commanded the American Ambulance Service, serving on the Italian front, where he again rendered conspicuous service in a position of great responsibility.