By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant Jalma C. Wilkins (ASN: 107142), United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) 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 Wilkins distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with Battery F, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Mezy Bridge, France, 14 July 1918, in maintaining the fire of his gun in the face of heavy machine gun and shell fire until killed.

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Sergeant Jalma C. Wilkins (ASN: 107142), United States Army, is cited (Posthumously) 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 Battery F, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, on the night of 14 July 1918, near Mezy Bridge over the Marne River, Sergeant Wilkins was Chief of Section of a detached piece which was placed up in the infantry lines for the special purpose of guarding the bridge. Sergeant Wilkins performed his duties courageously as Chief of Section, and when his number one was killed he took his place and continued to fire. Machine guns approached to within 300 meters and many shots were fired directly at them and the advancing infantry. Sergeant Wilkins remained true to his duty until he was killed by a bullet from a machine gun. Out of this gun crew two were killed, one wounded, and one missing, showing the severity of the engagement.