By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Richard E. Cook, United States Army, 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. Second Lieutenant Cook distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near the Vesle River, France, 7 – 8 September 1918, in dressing the wounded under severe artillery and machine gun fire.