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 Captain of Air Service Georges Thenault, 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. Captain Thenault Commanded the Lafayette Escadrille from the time of its creation in April of 1916 until it was transferred to the Air Service, American Expeditionary Forces, in January 1918. He led the squadron throughout the operations in Alsace and the Verdun offensive in 1916, later participating in the Allied offensive on the Somme and the Aisne. In 1917 he continued to command the squadron which was withdrawn from the line, and participated immediately afterwards in the operations on the Chemin des Dames. During this time more than 50 American pursuit pilots served in this unit. By his initiative, force, courage, and devotion to duty he contributed materially to the successful operations of the squadron and instilled in the American pilots under his command the principles of pursuit aviation, which contributed materially to the success of other American pursuit organizations when these pilots were transferred. By his ability as a pilot and his frequent missions over the lines he set an admirable example to the American officers under his command.