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 Robert W. Bridges, 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 A, 18th Field Artillery Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Private Bridges, being the agent of the Battery and Battalion Headquarters at La Perle Farm, France, was given a message calling for fire by the battery. He carried it to his Battery Commander. Between the Battalion Post of Command and his Battery, he had to pass through a heavily-shelled area, and having been thrown from his horse by the explosion of a shell, proceeded on foot to carry out his mission. He continued his duty until 17 July 1918, when he became a gas casualty while repairing a telephone line under heavy fire.