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 Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) David R. Swaim, 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. While serving as Division Machine-Gun Officer, 33d Division, Lieutenant colonel Swaim displayed remarkable ability in the supervision, disposition, and general control of the machine-gun units of the division. By his high professional attainments and indefatigable zeal he brought the division machine-gun units to an unusual state of efficiency, thus contributing greatly to the successes achieved by the division.