By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant W. J. Stephenson (ASN: 132649), 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 Stephenson distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Battery F, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Beaumont, France, 9 November 1918, in aiding in running a telephone line under constant shell fire.