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 (Medical Corps) Hugh Hampton Young, 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. Colonel Young has, by his constant application, tireless energy, and foresight, lowered the non-efficiency rate of combat organizations, due to certain contagious diseases far below pre-war anticipations, and has thereby aided in the conservation of man power to a degree never before attainable.