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 (Air Service) Harold Robert Buckley, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 95th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Perles, France, 10 August 1918. Lieutenant Buckley was on a patrol protecting a French biplane observation machine, when they were suddenly set upon by six enemy planes. Lieutenant Buckley attacked and destroyed the nearest, and the remainder fled into their own territory. He then carried on with his mission until he had escorted the allied plane safely to its own aerodrome.

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 Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Harold Robert Buckley, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 95th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Neville, France, and Boureuilles, France, September 16 – 27, 1918. Lieutenant Buckley dived through a violent and heavy anti-aircraft and machine-gun fire and set on fire an enemy balloon that was being lowered to its nest. On the next day, while leading a patrol, he met and sent down in flames an enemy plane while it was engaged in reglage work.