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 Sergeant Jean J. Loriot, French Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Pilot, 151st Escadrille, French Air Service, near St. Mihiel, France, 14 September 1918. Sergeant Loriot, on patrol, met and was attacked by a large number of enemy planes (Fokker type) and, in the course of the combat, his motor and plane were severely damaged. By clever maneuvering he managed to elude the enemy planes and land safely behind the American lines.