By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant Thomas J. Phillips, 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. Sergeant Phillips distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 16th Infantry, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during World War I. Although wounded by flying debris, Sergeant Phillips assisted during a violent bombardment in rescuing his comrades from under the fallen timbers of a house which had been wrecked by shell fire.