By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private First Class William E. D. Schmidt (ASN: 2214140), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with Company D, 4th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Nesles, on 15 July 1918, Private First Class Schmidt repeatedly carried messages between his company and battalion Post of Command and to various platoons through very heavy shell and gas bombardment without regard to his own safety.