By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Field Artillery) Howard H. Swenson, 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 18th Field Artillery Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Lieutenant Swenson displayed exceptional heroism in the Marne Defensive, 17 – 19 July 1918. When communication between artillery and infantry units had been cut, Lieutenant Swenson with four men went under heavy fire to the 30th Infantry headquarters and returned with the request of Colonel Butts for fire on the Charteves-Jaulgonne Road. For this he received the commendation of Colonel Butts. He then went forward, located the infantry lines and the enemy positions, gaining information which enabled effective fire to be trained on the enemy.