By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Second Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Robert E. Pennell, 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. Second Lieutenant Pennell distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 122d Field Artillery Regiment, 33d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Neuart, France, 3 November 1918. Although wounded, he remained in the open directing the laying of his battery.