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 Commander Allen Philip Calvert, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility from 15 December 1942 to 9 February 1943. Commander Calvert commanded the Motor Torpedo Boat flotilla which, in aid of Army forces on Guadalcanal, maintained a nightly patrol of enemy coastal waters during offensive land operations. On four separate occasions the flotilla under his command intercepted enemy forces and succeeded in destroying two enemy destroyers and damaging one enemy cruiser and eight destroyers, thereby seriously handicapping enemy efforts to reinforce, and later to evacuate, forces on that island. The flotilla also rendered invaluable service in supporting the transport of Army ground forces to Verahue and in assisting in the maintenance of those forces, the entire operation being achieved without loss or damage at sea. His fearlessness and professional ability were an inspiration to his officers and men, and contributed largely to the successful operations against the enemy forces at Guadalcanal.