By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Corporal Paro M. Thomas (ASN: 296956), 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. Corporal Thomas distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Headquarters Company, 119th Field Artillery Regiment, 32d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Fismes, France, 4 August 1918, in aiding in laying a telephone wire across a field under heavy shell fire and under direct enemy observation.