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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) William E. Kepner (ASN: 0-5686/6A), U.S. Army Air Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. Major Kepner was pilot and commander of the National Geographic Society Army Air Corps stratosphere Balloon flight, which took off from the vicinity of Rapid City, South Dakota, on 28 July 1934, and landed near Loomis, Nebraska, that same date. He assisted in piloting the balloon into the stratosphere to an altitude of 60,613 feet, and in making continuous scientific observations on route, and when the balloon became disables through circumstances beyond human control, did attempt, under most adverse and hazardous conditions, to land successfully the disabled aircraft in order to preserve the scientific records that had been obtained. By the exercise of cool judgment and foresight under these conditions, certain scientific records were saved and the disabled air craft was abandoned only when it was clearly evident that not to do so would prove disastrous to human life.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    4th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 5 – 6, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 44 (1919), Amended Supplement 1

    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 (Infantry) William Ellsworth Kepner (ASN: 0-5686/6A), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 4th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Cunel, France, 5 – 6 October 1918. While in command of a battalion. Captain Kepner personally led one company of his command in an attack on a woods occupied by a company of German machine-gunners. He was the first man to enter the woods and later when part of the attacking company was held up by flanking machine-gun fire, he, with a patrol of three men, encircled this machine-gun and after a hard hand-to-hand fight, put the gun out of action.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Captain (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    4th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 5 – 6, 1918
    Headquarters, 3d Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders No. 22 (July 8, 1919)

    By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Captain (Infantry) William E. Kepner (ASN: 0-5686/6A), United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the World War I Victory Medals awarded him. At midnight, 5 – 6 October 1918, Captain Kepner, in command of a battalion of the 4th Infantry Regiment, 3d Division, American Expeditionary Forces, led it into Woods 250, Southwest of Cunel. These woods were occupied by German machine gun companies with a total of 37 guns and had held up our advance for two days previous. Captain Kepner personally led Company L of his command into the woods and was the first man into them. After his command was partly in the woods the latter portion was held up by fire from a machine gun on the left flank. Captain Kepner, with a patrol of three men, encircled this machine gun, and, after a spirited hand-to-hand encounter with its crew, in the course of which he threw several German grenades into the Germans’ midst, put it out of action. [A Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for this action.]

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major General
    War Department, General Orders No. 89 (November 28, 1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General William Ellsworth Kepner (ASN: 0-5686/6A), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War II. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Kepner and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    1950 – 1953
    Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 10 (April 14, 1953)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Medal (Air Force) to Lieutenant General William Ellsworth Kepner (ASN: 0-5686/6A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander in Chief of the Alaska Command, with headquarters at Fort Richardson, Alaska, from 1950 to 1953. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Kepner culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.