The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal William F. Mayer (ASN: r-125693), United States Army, for gallantry in action. Corporal Mayer displayed excellent qualities of loyalty, devotion to duty and self-sacrifice. He volunteered as a messenger during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive to carry messages from the Regimental Headquarters of the 6th Field Artillery to the Battalion P.C., continuing on this duty after he had been badly gassed, and until rendered helpless by wounds from shrapnel.