By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Hospital Apprentice First Class Francis E. Phelan, United States Navy, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION A.E.F., for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Hospital Apprentice First Class Phelan distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Corpsman attached to the 16th Company, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces. During the action of 23 and 25 June 1918, he established a first-aid station directly in the rear of the firing line, making several trips to the firing line to remove wounded. He worked continually from 7:00 p.m. on 23 June to 3:00 p.m. on 24 June, caring for and removing the wounded near Chateau-Thierry, France.

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Francis E. Phelan, United States Navy, 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. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Phelan distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Corpsman attached to the Second Battalion, Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Imecourt, France, 1 November 1918. During the advance of the 2d Battalion, a shell landed in a group of officers, killing one and wounding the others. Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Phelan, with utter disregard of his own personal safety, crossed the open field which was swept by intense artillery, machine-gun and sniper fire, and in full view of the enemy administered first aid immediately and carried the officer to a place of safety.