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) Ernest L. Ruffner, 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 Ruffner served as Surgeon of the Intermediate Section, Services of Supply, having under his supervision 39 base hospital units. He performed his strenuous and exacting duties in an unusually efficient manner, displaying rare judgment and professional attainments of the first order.