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 Brigadier General William Ernest Welsh, 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 Colonel, 346th Infantry, 87th Division, from September 1917 to June 1918, Colonel Welsh demonstrated unusual leadership, organizing and training his regiment to a high state of efficiency and morale; as Brigadier General, General Staff, and Inspector-Instructor of Infantry, Training Section, General Headquarters, American Expeditionary Forces, he displayed marked tactical ability and by his general supervision shared largely in the responsibility for the training in that arm. His duties of very great importance were carried out with conspicuous success.