The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) William P. Erwin, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 1st Aero Squadron, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Sedan, France, 5 November 1918. Against the advice of experienced officers Lieutenant Erwin undertook a reconnaissance flight in the face of atmospheric conditions that rendered flying most dangerous. In order that his observer might gain the necessary information, he was forced to fly at a perilously low altitude, and was subject to continuous anti-aircraft and rifle fire. When information gained on the flight had been dropped at division headquarters, he circled and returned over the enemy lines, although on the first reconnaissance mission his plane had been repeatedly hit by bullets. Penetrating far into enemy territory, he maneuvered most skillfully, and with shells bursting near him, flew low while his observer poured deadly fire upon machine-gun nests that had been holding up the advance of our troops. When his machine was crippled by enemy fire, he displayed exceptional skill in effecting a landing upon rocky land within the enemy lines. With his observer, he beat off repeated enemy attacks and fought his way back to the American lines, with information of vital importance to our troops.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ServiceRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Service)Batallion:
1st Aero SquadronDivision:
American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
June, July & September 12 – 15, 1918
War Department, General Orders 70 (1919)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) William Portwood Erwin, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 1st Aero Squadron, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., in the Chateau-Thierry and St. Mihiel Salients, France. Lieutenant Erwin, with Second Lieutenant Byrne E. Baucom, observer, by a long period of faithful and heroic operations, set an inspiring example of courage and devotion to duty to his entire squadron. Throughout the Chateau-Thierry actions, in June and July, 1918, he flew under the worst weather conditions and successfully carried out his missions in the face of heavy odds. In the St. Mihiel sector, September 12 – 15, 1918, he repeated his previous courageous work. He flew as low as 50 feet from the ground behind the enemy’s lines, harassing German troops with machine-gun fire and subjecting himself to attack from ground batteries, machine-guns, and rifles. He twice drove off enemy planes which were attempting to destroy an American observation balloon. On September 12 and 13, 1918, he flew at extremely low altitudes and carried out infantry contact patrols successfully. Again on September 12 he attacked a German battery, forced the crew to abandon it, shot off of his horse a German officer who was trying to escape, drove the cannoneers to their dugouts, and kept them there until the infantry could come up and capture them.