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) Alexander Peyton Schenck, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 49th Aero Squadron, 2d Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., in the region of Doulcon, France, 4 October 1918. Lieutenant Schenck was one of an offensive patrol of six planes that attacked and engaged in combat 17 enemy machines (Fokker type). While he was engaging one of the enemy, he observed a comrade about to be sent down by an enemy plane that had maneuvered to an advantageous position. Lieutenant Schenck immediately left off the combat he was engaged in and shot down the plane, thereby saving the life of his comrade.