By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private Francis P. Vallely, United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) 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. Private Vallely distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Battery E, 6th Field Artillery, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during World War I. Under a heavy bombardment, Private Vallely voluntarily went to the assistance of other soldiers who had been buried in a dugout by enemy shell fire, and was killed while engaged in this heroic action.