By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private Johnnie Edwards, 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 Edwards distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company I, 28th 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 Edwards voluntarily carried messages from his battalion commander to the front line, passing through a shallow communication trench which at the time was being heavily shelled by enemy artillery and machine gun fire.