By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Private Michael J. Hardiman (MCSN: 68472/117149), United States Marine Corps, 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. Private Hardiman distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the 18th Company, 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in action in the Bois de Belleau, 11 June 1918, in rushing a German machine gun, killing the crew of two and capturing the gun.