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 Theron M. Blakely (ASN: 2293836), United States Army, 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. Private First Class Blakely distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 361st Infantry Regiment, 91st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Gesnes, France, 2 October 1918, in repeatedly carrying important messages through heavy shell and machine gun fire.