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) George Charles Carroll, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 2d Balloon Squadron, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Fort de Marr, France, 26 September 1918. Lieutenant Carroll had ascended in a balloon to a height of 1 kilometer on a reglage mission, when he was attacked by enemy planes; but he refused to leave his post and fired on the planes with his pistol while incendiary bullets were striking his basket and balloon. He was finally forced to jump when his balloon burst into flames, but he re-ascended as soon as a new balloon could be inflated. On three other occasions Lieutenant Carroll also gave proof of exceptional courage by remaining in his balloon in the face of aeroplane attacks, jumping only when his balloon took fire and immediately re-ascending when a new balloon could be inflated.