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Navy Federal Credit Union

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Air Service) Wilbur C. Suiter, United States Army Air Service, is cited (Posthumously) 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. First Lieutenant Suiter distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Pilot with the 135th Aero Squadron, American Expeditionary Forces, in action in the Toul Sector, France, 26 August 1918, while protecting a photographic mission.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    135th Aero Squadron

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 12, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 133 (1918)

    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) Wilbur Carleton Suiter, 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 Vilcey-sur-Trey, France, 12 September 1918. First Lieutenant Suiter, with Second Lieutenant Guy E. Morse, observer, fearlessly volunteered for the perilous mission of locating the enemy’s advance unit in the rear of the Hindenburg line. Disregarding the hail of machine gun fire and bursting anti-aircraft shell, they invaded the enemy territory at a low altitude and accomplished their mission, securing for our staff information of the greatest importance. These two gallant officers at once returned to the lines and undertook another reconnaissance mission, from which they failed to return.