By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Corporal John J. Banaszak (ASN: 2021734), 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. Corporal Banaszak distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 339th Infantry Regiment, 85th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Kadish, Russia, 14 October 1918, while exposed to enemy fire, keeping his Lewis gun in action with marked effect on the enemy.