By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private Benjamin F. Lawson, 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 Lawson distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 7th Field Artillery, 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 Lawson displayed unusual bravery and devotion to duty in continuously repairing telephone lines under heavy shell fire; he frequently, on his own initiative, subjected himself to shell fire in order to keep the communications in order.