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 Captain (Air Service) Stephen Henley Noyes, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 12th Aero Squadron, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Chatel-Chehery, France, 15 October 1918. Captain Noyes volunteered under the most adverse weather conditions to stake the advance lines of the 82d Division. Disregarding the fact that darkness would set in before he and his observer could complete their mission, and at the extremely low altitude of 150 feet, he proceeded amid heavy anti-aircraft and ground machine-gun fire until the necessary information was secured. On the return, due to darkness, he was forced to land on a shell-torn field and proceeded on foot to headquarters with valuable information.