By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private First Class John J. Gilliland, 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 First Class Gilliland distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Machine Gun Company, 16th Infantry, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during World War I. Private First Class Gilliland exposed himself to intense artillery fire while rescuing a wounded man.