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 Surgeon Major, 1st Class Emile J. B. Castelli, 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, while serving with the Medical Section of the Central Bureau of Franco-American Relations. As Advisor to the Medical Service of the American Expeditionary Forces, Surgeon Major Castelli assisted in the preparation of a comprehensive hospitalization program and was of the greatest assistance in putting this plan into effect. Realizing the importance of liaison between the French and American Medical Services, he organized the medical section of the Central Bureau of Franco-American Relations, which proved of the greatest mutual benefit to the French and American Armies.