By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant Rufus Russell (ASN: 1308672), 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 Russell distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company H, 117th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Bellicourt, France, 29 September 1918, in capturing a machine gun in company with two other men, forcing the gunner to divulge the location of another gun which was firing with deadly effect, which they succeeded in capturing; also in forcing one of the prisoners to divulge valuable information.