By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Captain (Corps of Engineers) Horace L. Smith, Jr., 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. Captain Smith distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the First Engineer, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during the operations connected with the capture and defense of Cantigny, France, 27 to 31 May 1918. Captain Smith although handicapped at the beginning of the action by the loss of two officers killed and one wounded, nevertheless carried out its mission in a highly efficient and satisfactory manner; in addition to its duties as an engineer company it acted as an infantry reinforcement and during the three days suffered severely in killed and wounded.