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) F. Lester Smith, 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 Smith distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action in the Verdun Sector, France, 16 October 1918, and by his brilliant leadership of his platoon.