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) Bradley J. Gaylord, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 1st Day Bombardment Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., between Chambley and Xammes, France, 13 September 1918. While leading an important mission with two other planes, First Lieutenant Gaylord was attacked by 15 enemy planes. Nevertheless, he and his observer carried out the mission, bombed the objective in a running fight, and shot down at least one enemy plane.