By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Sergeant John M. Coughlam, 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 B, 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, First Sergeant Coughlam showed exceptional courage and coolness in action. Seeing that the right flank was weak and exposed to heavy machine gun fire he organized a patrol from scattered detachments, led them through heavy fire and succeeded in routing the enemy and capturing three machine guns without loss to his command.