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 George D. McKowen, 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 the 7th Machine Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Private First Class McKowen carried messages under heavy shell fire, for 24 hours without rest and then voluntarily acted as gunner, showing great courage and valor.