The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant William B. Jackson, United States Marine Corps, for gallantry in action while serving with the 6th Machine-Gun Battalion, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Blanc Mont, France, France, 4 October 1918. Lieutenant Jackson displayed unusual coolness and bravery by checking the advance of the enemy with his pistol until the machine gun crews could place their guns in position to repel a strong enemy counterattack.