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 Brigadier General Francis LeRoy Ankenbrandt (ASN: 0-16375), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Theater Signal Officer for U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific, with station at New Caledonia, from July 1942 to June 1944. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ankenbrandt and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces. [This award supersedes the award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Ankenbrandt, for services from 12 July 1942 to 12 October 1943, as published in General Orders 474, United States Army Forces, South Pacific Area, 3 April 1944.)