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 Lee H. Downs (ASN: 1679971), 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 Downs distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company C, 308th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action on the Vesle River, France, 23 August 1918, in drawing the fire of two machine guns so that a flank maneuver could be executed against them.