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) James Lawrence Walsh, 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, first as Chief of the Personnel Division, Office of the Chief of Ordnance, which he organized and administered with conspicuous success during the first nine months of the war, a critical period during which all ordnance activities depended upon the successful handling of the personnel problem, and later as Personal and Executive Assistant to the Chief of Ordnance, in which capacity his breadth of vision, tact, sound judgment, and loyalty were invaluable to the Government in the numerous highly confidential matters entrusted to his care. In each of these position Colonel Walsh’s service to the Government were exceptionally conspicuous and meritorious.