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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) Leo Henry Dawson, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Hartennes, France, 19 July 1918. While on a voluntary patrol, Lieutenant Dawson encountered seven enemy monoplanes at an altitude of 2,000 meters. After a brief engagement his guns jammed, but, after repairing the jam in the air, and under heavy fire, he returned to the fight, shot down one of the enemy in flames and drove off the others.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    October 1943 – December 1944
    War Department, General Orders No. 83 (October 2, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Air Corps) Leo H. Dawson, United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from October 1943 to December 1944.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    27th Aero Squadron

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 14, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 1 (June 3, 1919)

    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) Leo H. Dawson, United States Army Air Service, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. First Lieutenant Dawson distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Pilot with the 27th Aero Squadron, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Boinville, France, 14 September 1918, while on a patrol.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    94th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    November 4, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 21 (1919)

    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) Leo Henry Dawson, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Clery-le-Petit, France, 4 November 1918. Sighting four enemy planes (type Rumpler), Lieutenant Dawson immediately attacked, despite the numerical superiority of the enemy, and destroyed one of the group, whereupon the remaining three scattered and returned to their lines.