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) Ralph A. Freel, 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. Second Lieutenant Freel distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 310th Infantry Regiment, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, France, 17 October 1918, in repeatedly organizing and leading small groups of men against the enemy.