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) William C. Ryan, United States Army, is cited 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 in Command of the fourth platoon of Company A, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Lieutenant Ryan was in a strong point in a wood directly opposite the place where the Germans crossed the Marne on pontoon bridges near Mezy, France, on 15 July 1918. Although under violent artillery and machine gun fire, and often attacked by the enemy infantry, he held his post until ordered to retire.