By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) Robert E. Gardner, 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. First Lieutenant Gardner distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 316th Engineers, American Expeditionary Forces, in action in leading a combat liaison patrol over unknown country and establishing liaisons when all other communication had apparently failed, on the night of 27 – 28 September 1918, near Very, France.