By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Corporal Joseph F. Rick (ASN: 107156), 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 Battery C, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on the night of 14 July 19218, when all communication had been cut off by the extremely heavy shell fire, Corporal Rick left the switch board and voluntarily carried a message to battalion headquarters a kilometer away. Through woods that were being terrifically bombarded he fulfilled his mission and returned with the most important instructions that ordered the fire that materially checked the enemy on the Marne. Throughout all engagements he displayed remarkable coolness and fortitude.