By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private Axel E. Nelson (ASN: 544584), United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. While serving with Headquarters Company, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Private Nelson was in charge of a trench mortar near Mezy, France, on 18 June 1918. He stood by the gun during terrific bombardment and remained until the gun pit was finally blown in. He withdrew the gun to another position and continued firing, under the enemy’s machine gun fire. He remained at a stokes gun until he was killed.