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 (Medical Corps) William J. Topmoeller, 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 6th Engineer Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Lieutenant Topmoeller was in charge of the advanced dressing station at Bois de la Jute, about one and a half miles south of Crezancy, France, when the German attack was launched at midnight, 15 July 1918. Lieutenant Topmoeller showed great devotion to duty and utter disregard of personal safety by remaining at his post in a heavily shelled position, attending all wounded brought to him for a period of over six hours, although conditions were such that he could have properly withdrawn his dressing station to a less exposed position. With unselfish regard for the known results of his act, but in order that he might perform his duties more efficiently, he removed his gas mask and remained at his post of duty until so overcome that his removal to a hospital was necessary.