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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 Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major of Air Service Paul F. M. Armengaud, French Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, during World War I, while serving with the French Mission, General Headquarters, American Expeditionary Forces. Throughout the entire organization and operation of the American Air Service in France, Major Armengaud rendered us services of exceptional value. He displayed most marked tactical conception of aerial activities, his advice proving of inestimable worth during the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives. Out of his wide experience he gave us his best. Proving at all times devoted to our interests and going far beyond the bounds of his duties, as a member of the French Mission, to assist us.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    Foreign

    Rank:

    Major of Air Service

    Division:

    1st Army Corps, American Expeditionary Forces (Attached)

    Action Date:

    September 12 – 16, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 120 (1918)

    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 Major of Air Service Paul F. M. Armengaud, French Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Mihiel, France, September 12 – 16, 1918. Major Armengaud, acting as Assistant Chief of Staff, Air Service, 1st Army Corps, A.E.F. (Attached), did display great bravery much beyond that required by his position while acting as observer in an airplane. Each day of the battle in the St. Mihiel salient he flew over the hostile lines through our own and the enemy’s artillery and machine-gun fire, observing the enemy air and ground activity and the disposition of our own air forces, thereby bringing back valuable information as to the enemy’s dispositions and probable intentions, which materially aided in our subsequent operations.