By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant Virgil Starks (ASN: 42630), 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 Starks distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company E, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action south of Soissons, France, 18 July 1918, while leading his group through heavy enemy fire.