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 (Air Service) Harold E. Loud, United States Army Air Service, 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 Loud distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Pilot with the American Expeditionary Forces, in action on 28 September 1918, in the region of Nantillois, France, while on a difficult infantry contact mission.