By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Second Lieutenant Kenneth P. Culbert, United States Marine Corps, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Second Lieutenant Culbert distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as an Observer with the 1st Aero Squadron, Air Service, American Expeditionary Forces, in the Toul Sector, France, 15 May 1918. While on a mission to photograph enemy gas projectors, Lieutenant Culbert, with his pilot, descended to 500 meters over the enemy second line trenches and secured the photographs, despite heavy enemy anti-aircraft and machine gun fire. Although their plane was severely damaged by enemy fire they completed their mission and returned with the photographs.