By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant Francis E. Gaus (ASN: 1257725), 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. Sergeant Gaus distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 109th Machine-Gun Battalion, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Fismes, France, 9 August 1918, while directing his machine gun section across the Vesle River, under heavy enemy fire.