By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Air Service) John Francisco Richards, United States Army Air Service, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. First Lieutenant Richards distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the American Expeditionary Forces, in action on 28 September 1918, during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, France, while making a reconnaissance over the enemy lines.