By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private Oliver H. Downs (ASN: 2725662), United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) 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. Private Downs distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Machine Gun Company, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Verdun, France, 9 October 1918, in helping to beat off a violent assault by an enemy party of fifty.