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 Captain (Air Service) Elmer Resides Haslett, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 12th Aero Squadron, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Montfaucon, France, 28 September 1918. While on an artillery surveillance mission Captain Haslett engaged four enemy planes which were about to attack the American balloon line. He succeeded in diverting them from the balloons, but in the combat his machine-guns became jammed. Driving off his nearest adversary by firing a Very pistol at him he succeeded in clearing the jam and, returning to the fight, he destroyed one hostile plane and dispersed the remainder of the group.