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 Quartermaster Frederic Bernard, French Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, during World War I. With extraordinary heroism Quartermaster Bernard achieved the seemingly impossible in rescuing 70 members of the crew of the U.S. Army Transport JINSEN MARU, when that vessel foundered at Ile d’Yeu, France, on 4 December 1918. Braving the rocky surf, he got a line to the ship when other efforts had failed, and by that line sent all the members of the crew one-by-one to shore, being himself the last man to leave the ship. Displaying personal bravery of the highest order, he voluntarily jeopardized his life to perform this courageous service.