By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private John Bender (ASN: 2357247), United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) 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 Headquarters Company, 4th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Private Bender displayed great courage near les Franquettes Farm on 23 July 1918, when he twice silenced machine guns with automatic fire and was finally killed.