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 Major (Infantry) William Augustus Rafferty, 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. While in charge of the Supply Branch, 4th (Supply) Section, General Staff, Army, American Expeditionary Forces, Major Rafferty displayed great initiative, zeal, and devotion to duty, and by his excellent judgment, forethought, and cooperation materially assisted in the solution of many difficult problems concerning the supply of troops during the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives, thereby contributing in a marked degree to the successful accomplishment of the supply of the troops engaged in those operations.