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 of Artillery Joseph E. A. Doumenc, 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 Chief of the French Automobile Service, Major Doumenc was intimately associated and uniformly helpful in the development of the American motor transportation system in France. With extraordinary foresight he organized the interallied motor reserve. His exceptional ability and personal efforts made possible the transport of large numbers of American troops at times when the success of operations depended on rapid transportation.