The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Field Artillery) Joseph Daly Coughlan, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, as Soissons, France, on 20 July 1918. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain Coughlan, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.