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 Charles Raymond Blake, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 7th Aviation Instruction Center, French Army (Attached), U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Lassigny, France, 9 August 1918. Lieutenant Blake with Second Lieutenant Earle W. Porter, observer, while on a reconnaissance expedition at a low altitude far beyond the enemy lines, was attacked by five German battle planes. His observer was wounded at the beginning of the combat, but he maneuvered his plane so skillfully that the observer was able to shoot down one of their adversaries. By more skillful maneuvering he enabled his observer to fight off the remaining planes and returned safely to friendly territory.