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 (Air Service) Clifford A. McElvain, 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. First Lieutenant McElvain distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 1st Pursuit Group, American Expeditionary Forces, in action in the Verdun Sector, France, 1 August 1918, while protecting a reconnaissance mission.