By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Sergeant William J. Smith (ASN: 113496), 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 Sergeant Smith distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 150th Machine-Gun Battalion, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Fismes, France, 17 July 1918, in reconnoitering the front line positions.