By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private James J. McLinden (ASN: 171335), 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 McLinden distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 306th Machine-Gun Battalion, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Merval, France, 14 September 1918, while assisting in the rescue of wounded under fire.