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 First Lieutenant Mary E. Sheehan, United States Army Nurse Corps, 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 Nurse of the Vichy Hospital Center, France, during the World War, First Lieutenant Sheehan organized the nursing service of that center, and by her tact, good judgment, energy, and personal devotion to duty contributed largely to the successful care and well-being of 11,000 sick and wounded.