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 (Ordnance Corps) William C. Spruance, Jr., 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 Powder Section, Production Division, of the Office of the Chief of Ordnance. Later as Special Assistant to the Chief of Ordnance in charge of chemicals, propellants, and explosives, and Chief of the Explosives, Chemicals, and Loading Division, Office of the Chief of Ordnance, in which capacities he successfully organized the industry of the country so as to yield at all times an ample supply of powder, not only for the needs of the U.S. Army, but to some extent for the needs of the cobelligerents against Germany.