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 (Infantry) Shepard L. Pike, 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 Commandant of the Army Candidates’ School at Langres, France, Lieutenant Colonel Pike organized an important institution and developed it to a high state of efficiency. His services in capably directing the training of more than 5,000 candidates for active duty at the front were of the utmost value to the American Expeditionary Forces.