By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant Joeph I. Lawton, 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 Lawton distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the Intelligence Section, Headquarters Company, 102d Infantry Regiment, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Xivray, France, 16 June 1918, while remaining on duty in an observation post under shell fire until it was destroyed.