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 Second Lieutenant Thomas B. Dodwell, British Expeditionary Forces, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Observer, Royal Air Forces, British Expeditionary Forces, near Bruges, Belgium, 13 August 1918. This officer and his pilot led two other machines on along photographic mission over the area north of Bruges. Over Thourout they were attacked by six enemy planes. While heavily engaged, Lieutenant Dodwell and his pilot saw one of their machines in difficulty and trying to make our lines with an enemy plane close at its tail. Regardless of their own danger from the remaining planes, they dived to the assistance of the crippled plane. Taking advantage of their preoccupation, several enemy planes attacked from the rear; but, in spite of this rear attack, they drove off the enemy plane and allowed the damaged plane to land within our fines. Half of the tail plane was shot away, but Lieutenant Dodwell climbed along the wing and lay down along the cowling in front of the pilot, enabling the pilot to regain partial control of his machine. When nearing the ground, he crawled back into the cockpit to allow the nose to rise, and the pilot made a safe landing. The presence of mind and cool courage of this officer saved the machine from crashing to the ground.