By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private Robert J. West (ASN: 542145), 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 G, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on 11 October 1918, near Cunel, France, while his company was advancing in attack was held up by a nest of three enemy machine guns, Private West displayed extraordinary heroism and personal disregard for danger, advancing by rushes with three companions in the face of heavy machine gun and grenade fire and capturing this nest, thereby enabling his company to advance and capture the enemy position. On 14 October, near Cunel, he advanced through heavy fire a distance of 100 yards from the line to dig out a comrade who had been buried by a shell explosion in an advanced Observation Post. He administered first aid and brought his comrade back in safety.