By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Ernest B. Ball, United States Navy, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Ball distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Corpsman attached to the 18th Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in the Blanc Mont Ridge Operations, 3 October 1918. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Ball displayed conspicuous bravery by dressing and carrying wounded men under the heaviest machine-gun and artillery fire. He continually exposed himself in this duty while the unit he was working with was in a trench.