Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Edwards
Harold
Greist
May 5, 1895

–

October 10, 1969

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    3d Observation Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    November 1, 1918
    GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 2 (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) Edwards Harold Greist, 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 Greist distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving as a Pilot with the 3d Observation Group, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Andevanne, France, 1 November 1918, in securing valuable information in the face of adverse weather conditions. [This award was rescinded under GHQ, American Expeditionary Forces, Citation Orders No. 9 (August 1, 1920) as the recipient has been awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for deed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.]

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    3d Observation Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    November 1, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 55 (1920)

    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) Edwards Harold Greist, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 3d Observation Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Andevanne, France, 1 November 1918. On the morning of 1 November during the progress of an important attack, Lieutenant Greist volunteered on a mission to fly through a heavy fog in order to locate the then advanced infantry of the attack. In accomplishing this mission it was necessary to fly at a very low altitude and through the American barrage which was being fired during the flight. He penetrated several kilometers into the enemy’s lines, being subjected to heavy machine-gun fire from the ground, which struck his plane many times, obtained information of the disposition of the enemy artillery, infantry, and our own front line. He returned through the fire with the first authentic information to reach the division commander.