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 Robert Chapin Candee, United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility with the VII Air Support Command from 28 April 1942 to 1 October 1943. Displaying great technical skill, efficiency, and a broad knowledge of the tremendous task entrusted him, General Candee organized and placed into operation the Eighth Air Support Command. General Candee also prepared all detailed plans, and directed the actual execution of all missions carried out by the EIGHTH Air Force in connection with a full scale cross-channel invasion rehearsal on 9 September 1943. General Candee placed a medium bombardment wing on an operational basis within a minimum time, and directed highly successful methods of tactical employment which resulted in the proved worth of the B-26 airplane for operations in the European theater of operations. The untiring effort, technical knowledge, and efficiency displayed by Brigadier General Candee during this period reflect high credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.