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) John Israel Rancourt, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 88th Aero Squadron (Attached), 103d Field Artillery Regiment, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Fismes, France, 9 August 1918. First Lieutenant Rancourt and Richard C. M. Page, first lieutenant, pilot, were detailed to fly without escort on a visual reconnaissance over the enemy’s lines. They were attacked by six enemy battle planes 1800 meters over Fismes. The Americans unhesitatingly fought this superior number of the enemy. Lieutenant Rancourt was three times seriously wounded in the legs above the knees, yet he continued to operate his machine-gun and shot down one of the enemy planes. In spite of the fact that his elevator controls on one side had been shot away, Lieutenant Page skillfully maneuvered the plane throughout the combat and piloted it safely back to his airdrome.