Citation Accompanying Distinguished Service Medal Awarded to General Eisenhower.

THE PRESIDENT of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, has awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (fourth Oak Leaf Cluster) to

GENERAL Of THE ARMY DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

With citation as follows:

General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower has distinguished himself in a position of great responsibility by exceptionally meritorious service to the United States and the member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

At an extremely critical and difficult time in the affairs of the free peoples of the world, General of the Army Eisenhower was appointed Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, and was charged with the grave responsibility of planning and welding an effective military structure for the defense of Western Europe. Faced with innumerable, complex problems and hazards inherent in the correlation of national interests with the common welfare and the crystallization of mutual faith, he inspired confidence and united the efforts of the several member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a monumental achievement without historical 'peacetime precedent. In discharging his grave responsibilities he displayed great and consummate skill, inspirational military leadership, indomitable spirit, and the highest order of devotion to the causes of freedom. He symbolized his nation's unqualified determination to stand by its Allies.

General of the Army Eisenhower's extraordinary service merits the gratitude of not only the American people but of free peoples everywhere.

HARRY S. TRUMAN