By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private William Jefferies (ASN: 555060), Sergeant Ernest Torne (ASN: 555071), and Private First Class Arthur Gibeault (ASN: 555088) (Deceased), 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 the 9th Machine Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, these men distinguished themselves by extraordinary heroism in action during the Second Battle of the Marne. Shortly after taking up their position in the outpost line they were attacked by an enemy patrol and although greatly outnumbered, fought desperately, inflicting heavy losses upon the patrol until they were surrounded. In endeavoring to return to their own line, Private Gibeault was killed, Sergeant Torne missing, and Sergeant Jefferies was severely wounded.