By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Corporal Louis T. Kranz (ASN: 1896381), United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) 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 Kranz distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company D, 320th Machine-Gun Battalion, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Ravine-aux-Pierre, France, 16 October 1918, in making a personal reconnaissance for machine gun positions.