By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Corporal Walter Coil, 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. Corporal Coil distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 26th 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. Corporal Coil voluntarily proceeded under heavy shell fire to render first aid assistance to two wounded men and again went to the assistance of wounded men by crawling through a shallow trench which was being swept by machine gun and rifle fire.