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 General Joseph E. R. Bourgeois, 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 the Geographic Service of the Army, General Bourgeois afforded most loyal cooperation to the American Expeditionary Forces. He rendered exceptional service by placing at our disposal the various departments under his control, including the use of maps and optical instruments that proved of inestimable value in the planning and execution of important military operations.