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 General George R. Meyer (ASN: 0-3130), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, as Commanding General, Panama Coast Artillery Command, from 17 February 1943 to 6 September 1944, and as Deputy Commander, panama Canal Department, from 7 September 1944 to 30 January 1945. General Meyer’s high professional attainments, coupled with sound judgment and keen foresight have manifested themselves in the outstanding manner in which he performed his many important duties. As Commanding General of the Panama Coast Artillery Command, he accomplished its reorganization with a minimum of disruption, and its subsequent high order of operating efficiency was largely attributable to his clarity of vision, wisdom, energy and inspiring leadership. He maintained his large command under war conditions of alert at a high degree of combat efficiency and most notable high morale despite the fact that a large majority of the personnel were living in jungle housing accommodations. As Deputy Commander, Panama Canal Department, he performed important administrative and tactical duties, including close exercise of authority over the Joint Command Post involving integrating of air, ground and naval forces in a highly creditable manner, thus affording the Department Commander sufficient freedom to carry out his dual responsibilities as Commanding General, Caribbean Defense Command, and Commanding General, Panama Department. By his outstanding performance he materially contributed to the defense of the Panama Canal and its installations.