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) Joseph F. Siler, 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 Siler has been in charge of the Laboratory Service of the American Expeditionary Forces. Due to his untiring zeal and high professional attainments, he has been able to render invaluable service in the prevention of the spread of infectious disease among our troops. Under his able instructions, medical officers were sent out equipped to handle the new medical and surgical problems of war in a manner not believed possible before the present war.