By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Infantry) Benjamin Rau, 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. First Lieutenant Rau distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 314th Infantry, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Bellieu Woods, France, 1 – 9 November 1918, in refusing to be evacuated although badly gassed.