By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private John W. Barr (MCSN: 110011), United States Marine Corps, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Private Barr distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 78th Company, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, at Soissons, France, on 19 July 1918. Under intense enemy machine gun and artillery fire he carried important messages from his company to the battalion post of command over an open and rolling terrain and under observation of the enemy. When thus engaged he was mortally wounded. His high courage and devotion to duty encouraged and inspired every man of his company.