By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private First Class Joseph Paxton McKinney (ASN: 89077), United States Army, is cited for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Private First Class McKinney distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 165th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near St. Mihiel, France, 12 September 1918, while delivering a message through enemy fire until severely wounded.