Navy Federal Credit Union

An undergraduate at Cornell University, Meissner dropped out of school to join the US Air Service in 1917. In World War I he became an ACE with 8 aerial victories (7 airplanes and 1 balloon). In 1920 he organized the Alabama National Guard and served for a time as its commander.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    94th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    May 30, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 121 (1918)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) James Armand Meissner, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Jaulny, France, 30 May 1918. Lieutenant Meissner attacked two enemy planes at an altitude of 4,500 meters above Jaulny, and after a sharp engagement shot one down in flames and forced the other back into its own territory.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    94th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    May 2, 1918

    War Department, General Orders No. 121 (1918)

    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) James Armand Meissner, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., in the Toul sector in 2 May 1918. First Lieutenant Meissner attacked three enemy planes at an altitude of 4,800 meters over the Foret De La Rappe, France. After a short fight he brought down one of the machines in flames. During the combat the entering wedge and the covering of the upper wings of his plane were torn away and after the battle he was subjected to heavy fire from anti-aircraft batteries, but by skillful operation and cool judgment he succeeded in making a landing within the American lines.