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Navy Federal Credit Union

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 Second Lieutenant (Air Service) Percival Gray Hart, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 135th Aero Squadron, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., during the battle of the St. Mihiel salient, France, September 12 – 13, 1918. On September 12 Lieutenant Hart made three Infantry liaison patrols and obtained valuable information he conveyed to organization commanders. Bad weather conditions necessitated flying at a very low altitude, but in spite of this and repeated attacks by superior numbers of enemy aircraft, he drove them off by his accurate fire and accomplished his mission. On September 13 he unhesitatingly went to the assistance of three allied planes which were being attacked by a large patrol of the enemy, and by his steady fire drove off the enemy patrol and enabled the three allied planes to return.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    135th Aero Squadron

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    August 16, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 2 (June 3, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Second Lieutenant (Air Service) Percival G. Hart, United States Army Air Service, 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. Second Lieutenant Hart distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as an Observer with the 135th Aero Squadron, American Expeditionary Forces, in action 16 August 1918, north of Toul, France, in protecting a photographic mission.