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 (Infantry) Hugh D. B. Cotton, United States Army, is cited for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. First Lieutenant Cotton distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 47th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action in the Bois de Septsarges, France, 26 September 1918. Lieutenant Cotton voluntarily took command of an reorganized Company I, under heavy enemy fire and after all of its officers had become casualties, and directed them in the attack until he was severely wounded.