The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private Frank G. S. Erickson (ASN: 1111111), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company H, 308th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action in the Argonne Forest, near Binarville, between 3 October and 8 October 1918, when that company, together with other companies of the 1st and 2d Battalions of this Regiment were surrounded by the enemy and cut off from communication with friendly troops. During this period, he was a runner between his Company and Battalion Headquarters. Though completely without food during all this period, he cheerfully and courageously performed his duties as runner. During a heavy attack by the enemy on 3 October 1918, he carried messages from his Company Commander to Battalion Headquarters under heavy fire from machine guns and trench mortars, and succeeded in delivering his message and in guiding supporting troops to the left flank which was then being subjected to heavy pressure by the enemy. On succeeding days of the siege, this soldier continued to perform his duties over exposed places and in full view of the enemy and always under heavy machine gun fire which raked the position on the least exposure. These duties he performed in absolute disregard of his personal safety.