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 Medical Inspector Gaston L. E. E. Bergasse, French Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, during World War I, as Director of Medical Service of the 20th Army Area, French Army, in the organization of American hospital centers. In addition to his official cooperation in the larger affairs, Medical Inspector Bergasse’s influence exerted in innumerable ways has been a material factor in the successful installation and operation of the activities of the Medical Department of Base Section No. 2.