By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant Thomas E. Mahnken (ASN: 548803), 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 Mahnken distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Chateau-Thierry, France, 15 July 1918, while directing fire of 37-millimeter guns during enemy attack.