By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant John H. Downing (ASN: 1697056), 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. Sergeant Downing distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Pinchon Farm, France, 7 – 9 September 1918, in repeatedly going out under sweeping machine gun fire and bringing in the wounded.