By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Major (Field Artillery) L. R. Cole, 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. Major Cole distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Vierzy, France, 21 July 1918, in reconnoitering positions for his batteries under heavy machine gun and shell fire.