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 Asa E. Hess (ASN: 555390), Private Haskel D. Hurst (ASN: 2193014), Private First Class John Shavronsky (ASN: 555437), Private First Class Benjamin Stanley (ASN: 555442), and Private Anton Fink (ASN: 555302), United States Army, are 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 them. While serving with Company D, 9th Machine Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, these men displayed exceptional heroism in the Champagne-Marne Defensive, 14 – 15 July 1918. Although they were detailed to remain the rear to care for animals they voluntarily turned over their duties to others and joined their comrades in the front lines, where they fought bravely.