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 Colonel (Air Corps) Robert Frederick Tate, United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, first as Executive Officer and then as Commanding Officer for the India-China Ferrying Command. Colonel Tate, through his able direction and administration, made a valuable contribution to enable personnel and material to flow successfully and uninterrupted to and from China after other means of communication had been severed by the enemy. Colonel Tate’s ability, perseverance and devotion to duty proved of the highest quality and these qualities served to solve difficult administrative, technical and operational problems, which had to be solved in fulfilling the commitments of the United States to sustain lines of communication to China. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Tate and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.