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 Justin Godart, a French civilian, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, during World War I. As Undersecretary of State, Chief of the Medical Department of the French Army, Mr. Godart exercised his influence and energy to assist in the initial hospitalization of the American Army, and by his cordial cooperation and untiring efforts expedited and facilitated that hospitalization, thus rendering valuable service to the American Expeditionary Forces.