By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private [then Sergeant] Marchie J. McCollum, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with the 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, his Platoon Commander being wounded and evacuated during the advance of 9 October 1918, in Cunel Woods, France, Private McColum took command of and led his platoon forward until the objective was reached and the positions consolidated. During this operation Private McCollum was himself wounded but continued his activities with conspicuous courage under heavy artillery and machine gun fire.