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 (Signal Corps) Robert O. Van Horn, 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. On the night of 3 November 1918, Colonel Van Horn led his regiment of the 9th Infantry, 2d Division, against the enemy positions in the edge of the Bois de Belval. The regiment passed through the woods and the enemy lines and took up a position 6 kilometers in rear of the enemy, capturing many prisoners and much war material. At daylight, 4 November, his regiment was heavily counterattacked but not dislodged. The effect of night penetration of the enemy lines caused the enemy on the right and left of the 2d Division sector to fall back to the east bank of the Meuse River.