By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Corporal Willie W. Shankle (ASN: 44107), United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) 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. Corporal Shankle distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action at Soissons, France, 19 July 1918, in directing the fire of his men under heavy machine gun and shell fire.