By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Corporal William Bitner (ASN: 44133), 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. Corporal Bitner distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action in the attack on Fleville, France, 9 October 1918. Corporal Bitner advanced with three others under heavy machine gun fire and a severe artillery barrage, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy and aided in the capture of five machine guns and one 77-mm. piece, firing at them at point-blank range.