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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 (Field Artillery) Britton Polley, 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 Polley distinguished himself by gallantry in action while attached to the 99th Aero Squadron, American Expeditionary Forces, in action during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, France, 9 October 1918, while on an infantry contact mission. [A Distinguished Service Cross was subsequently awarded for these actions on this date.]

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Field Artillery)

    Batallion:

    99th Aero Squadron (Attached)

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    October 9, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 35 (1919)

    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 (Field Artillery) Britton Polley, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 99th Aero Squadron (Attached), U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Romagne, France, 9 October 1918. Lieutenant Polley was assigned to a mission to find line troops of the division to which his squadron was attached. Weather conditions made flying almost impossible, a second plane, assigned to the mission returning on that account. Flying at an altitude of 25 meters over enemy lines, he encountered and defeated three enemy patrols, gathering and delivering to his division headquarters most valuable information.