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 Major (Infantry) Ernest E. Watson, 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, in action near Romagne, France, in October 1918, in organizing the machine gun defense of the 89th Division sector.