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 Rear Admiral Frank Friday Fletcher, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility in connection with the operations of the War Industries Board during World War I. As a member of the Board Rear Admiral Fletcher rendered, through his broad vision and distinguished capacity, services of inestimable value in marshaling the industrial forces of the Nation and mobilizing its economic resources–marked factors in assisting to make military success attainable. As one of the service representatives on the Board his sound judgment and wide knowledge of military and naval matters contributed markedly to the successful prosecution of the war.