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 (Field Artillery) Thomas Van Alyea, United States Army, is cited 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 Van Alyea distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 122d Field Artillery Regiment, 33d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Romagne, France, 28 October 1918, in establishing telephone communication under heavy machine gun and shell fire.