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 (Judge Advocate General) William Rand, 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 Principal Assistant in the Office of the Acting Judge Advocate General for the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe and as a member of the Board of Review to which was referred records of trial by courts-martial in the American army operating on foreign soil, Colonel Rand performed duties of an important and far-reaching character and grave responsibility. His broad learning, his comprehensive grasp of the problems with which he had to deal, coupled with untiring industry and energy contributed markedly to the accomplishments of the office of the Judge Advocate General and of the American Expeditionary Forces.