By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private Elmer Bickford (ASN: 554648), 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 A, 9th Machine Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, he displayed exceptional courage and devotion to duty at Moulins, France, 15 July 1918, He occupied an exposed forward position and held it against odds, contributing greatly to the success of the defense.