By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Corporal Erwin H. Vonderau (MCSN: 85821/120839), United States Marine Corps, is cited 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. Corporal Vonderau distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 76th Company, 6th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action in the Champagne Front, France, 3 – 10 October 1918, in marching in front of a tank in the direction of the enemy, with a white face towel attached to his bayonet, thus enabling a point to be taken by a rush of infantry.