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 (Infantry) James B. Koontz, 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. First Lieutenant Koontz distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 9th Machine-Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Jaulgonne, France, 23 July 1918, while making a reconnaissance in advance of his platoon.

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 (Infantry) James B. Koontz, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with the 9th Machine Gun Battalion, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Lieutenant Koontz volunteered to lead a platoon into Jaulgonne, France, in order to clear out machine gun nests. It was only the daring and bravery of this officer which made the plan successful. Lieutenant Koontz, rather than expose his men, went over all the dangerous ground in advance of his platoon. Just as the mission was successful, Lieutenant Koontz was seriously wounded.