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 (Field Artillery) Sam L. Switzer, 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 serving with the 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on the night of 14 – 15 July 1918, near Mezy Bridge, France, Lieutenant Switzer was placed in command of a detached 75-mm. gun which took up position with our front line Infantry. Lieutenant Switzer’s special mission was to guard the bridge, but was not to fire until given command by the Major of the Infantry Battalion, who was located near him. The command to fire from the Major was never given to Lieutenant Switzer, but knowing that the enemy was across the river, he fired upon the bridge, and succeeded in demolishing same. Enemy machine guns and Infantry had advanced to within three hundred yards of his position, and he caused his gun crew to fire many times at point-blank range.