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 (Coast Artillery Corps) Harry M. Peck, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility, in the Philippine Islands from 8 December 1941 to 11 March 1942. Assigned to command a provisional regiment of anti-aircraft artillery, later designated the 515th Coast Artillery Regiment (Anti-Aircraft), Colonel Peck, with personnel from the 200th Coast Artillery, organized his regiment, obtained material from depot stocks, and within 24 hours had his command disposed for the protection of important areas in Manila and at Nichols Field against aerial attack. Subsequently, this unit covered critical points on routes of withdrawal to the Bataan Peninsula and was disposed for aerial defense of Bataan. His effective leadership was demonstrated by the excellent results achieved by his command in spite of greatly reduced numbers for the armament manned.