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 Brigadier General John Hodgen Rice, 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 Chief of the Engineering Division of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance, General Rice performed with peculiar ability his arduous duties in connection with the design and development of all articles of ordnance supplied to the United States Army. Later, as Chief Ordnance Officer, American Expeditionary Forces, he was charged with the procurement and supply of all ordnance to our forces in France, which duties he performed with exceptional success, displaying untiring energy and zeal. He handled perplexing problems of supply with sound judgment, achieving most valuable results.