By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private Ronald Lapham (ASN: 69880), 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. Private Lapham distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 103d Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Bouresches, France, 30 July 1918, in voluntarily carrying messages across an open field swept by machine gun and artillery fire.