By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private George Purcell, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Private Purcell distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 26th Infantry, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during the operations connected with the capture and defense of Cantigny, France, 27 to 31 May 1918. Private Purcell went to the assistance of his company commander who was wounded and lying in the open although his action required that he proceed for several hundred yards in daylight over ground swept by machine gun and rifle fire.