By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private J. E. Ball, 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 Ball distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Battery D, 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 Ball displayed high qualities of courage and devotion to duty in going into a shell hole filled with gas, when other members of the party had been driven away, and aiding a comrade who was mortally wounded.