By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Infantry) James B. McConnell, United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with the 4th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Lieutenant McConnell displayed great gallantry in action near les Franquettes Farm on 23 July 1918, when he continued to command his platoon after having a part of his face shot away by a machine gun bullet. Lieutenant McConnell later died of his wounds.