By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Corporal Abe L. Allen, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Corporal Allen distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 28th Infantry, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during the operations connected with the capture and defense of Cantigny, France, 27 to 31 May 1918. Corporal Allen although severely injured by the explosion of a shell which buried two of his companions, unhesitatingly and courageously set about digging them out with his hands and getting them to a place of shelter, being subjected throughout the entire time to a severe fire of H.E. shells and shrapnel.