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) Spessard Lindsey Holland, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 24th Aero Squadron, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Bois-de-Bantheville, France, 15 October 1918. Flying at an altitude of 400 meters five kilometers within the enemy lines, Lieutenant Holland and his pilot, Lieutenant George A. Goldthwaite, continued on their mission in spite of being harassed by anti-aircraft, securing information of great military value.