By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Lieutenant Commander (MC) William Howard Michael, 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. Lieutenant Commander Michael distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Medical Officer attached to the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action on the morning of 6 June 1918. Lieutenant Commander Michael displayed unusual courage under heavy shell fire when he established a dressing station in the open exposed to both shell and machine-gun fire. Under these conditions he worked for several hours, evacuating a large number of wounded men from the Fifth Regiment, then attacking in the vicinity. Major Edward B. Cole, Commanding the Sixth Machine-Gun Battalion, subsequently mortally wounded, reported these facts to the Regimental Surgeon and reported that he would repor the conspicuous conduct of Surgeon Michael. Throughout the operations this officer rendered valuable service regardless of personal danger.




