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 Second Lieutenant (Air Service) William Edward Belzer, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Observation Group, 4th Corps, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Jaulny, France, September 12 – 13, 1918. On September 12 Lieutenant Belzer, observer, and First Lieutenant Wallace Coleman, pilot, while on an artillery surveillance mission, were attacked by an enemy plane. They waited until the enemy was at close range and then fired 50 rounds directly into the vital parts of the enemy machine, which was seen to disappear out of control. The next day Lieutenants Belzer and Coleman, while on a reconnaissance mission, were attacked by seven enemy aircraft. They unhesitatingly opened fire, but owing to their guns being jammed were forced to withdraw to our lines where, clearing the jam, they returned to finish the mission. Their guns again jammed, and they were driven back by a large patrol of enemy planes. After skillful maneuvering they succeeded an putting one gun into use and returned a third time, only to be driven back. Undaunted, they returned the fourth time and accomplished their mission, transmitting valuable information to the Infantry headquarters.