By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant William C. Flannery (ASN: 48882), 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 Flannery distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near St. Etienne-aux-Arnes, France, 3 – 9 October 1918, in silencing five enemy machine guns with his 37-mm. gun section.