The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Perry Henry Aldrich, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 135th Aero Squadron, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near St. Mihiel, France, 29 October 1918. Lieutenant Aldrich, observer, with First Lieutenant E. C. Landen, volunteered and went on an important mission for the corps commander without the usual protection. Forced to fly at an altitude of 1, 000 meters because of poor visibility, soon after crossing the lines they encountered an enemy Rumpler plane and forced it to the ground. On returning they attacked another Rumpler and drove it off. After completing their mission and seeing an enemy observation tower on Lake Lachaussee, they re-entered enemy territory and fired upon it. Immediately attacked by seven enemy planes (Fokker type), a combat followed in which Lieutenant Aldrich was mortally wounded.