The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Francis May Simonds, United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving with the 147th Aero Squadron, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Chateau-Thierry, France, 5 July 1918, while on a patrol.