By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Major (Field Artillery) John D. Von Holtzendorff, 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. Major Von Holtzendorff distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action at Blanc Mont, France, 3 – 11 October 1918, in making repeated reconnaissances under severe shell and machine gun fire.