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Navy Federal Credit Union

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Air Service) Henry Robinson Clay, Jr., United States Army, is cited for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. First Lieutenant Clay distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Pilot with the 148th Aero Squadron, 4th Pursuit Group, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Cambral, France, 27 September 1918, in attacking, with another pilot, an enemy formation of five planes. [This award was rescinded under GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 9 (August 1, 1920) as the recipient has been awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for deed including this act.]

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    148th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 4 & 27, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 60 (1920)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Henry Robinson Clay, Jr., United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 148th Aero Squadron, 4th Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Sains-les-Marquion, France, 4 September 1918. In an action wherein Lieutenant Clay’s patrol was outnumbered two-to-one, he attacked the group and shot down the enemy aircraft in flames. He continued in the combat and later attacked two enemy aircraft which were pursuing a plane of his patrol and succeeded in shooting one enemy aircraft down. Again, on 27 September 1918, near Cambrai, France, with one other pilot, Lieutenant Clay observed five enemy planes approaching our lines and, although hopelessly outnumbered, immediately attacked and singled out a plane which was seen to crash to the ground. He was immediately attacked by the other enemy planes and compelled to fight his way back to our lines.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    148th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    August 16, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 1 (June 3, 1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Henry Robinson Clay, Jr., United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as a Pilot with the 148th Aero Squadron, 4th Pursuit Group, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Noyon, France, 16 August 1918, while on offensive patrol.