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) Paul J. Sykes, 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 Sykes distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action at Tulerie Farm, France, 22 July 1918, in patrolling an open field under heavy machine gun fire.

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) Paul J. Sykes, 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 as Battalion Adjutant with the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on 26 July 1918, in the attack on Le Charmel, France, during the Aisne-Marne Offensive, Lieutenant Sykes took command of troops disorganized by intense shell fire and successfully led them in the attack, displaying coolness, disregard for personal safety, and leadership which was a great source of courage and inspiration to the men. After the capture of Le Charmel, he displayed initiative and leadership in the reorganizing of intermingled units, and a perfect grasp of the military situation in the disposition of his outposts, and the preparation of his positions for defense.