By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant Earlie S. Franklin (ASN: 46035), 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. Sergeant Franklin distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action south of Soissons, France, 20 July 1918, in reorganizing men of two platoons into one platoon and leading them in the attack until severely wounded. He refused to be evacuated until another leader had been found.