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) Arthur Freeland Seaver, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 27th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., in the region of Etain, France, 16 September 1918. Lieutenant Seaver, with his squadron started on a bombing raid. The formation was broken up because of various troubles to the machines. Lieutenant Seaver, with his observer, Lieutenant Stokes continued on and joined a formation of another bombing squadron. After crossing the lines their plane was struck by an anti-aircraft explosive shell, throwing the machine out of control. When Lieutenant Seaver gained control of the machine it had fallen away from the protection of the other planes. With their crippled plane and missing motor they continued until they had reached their objective, when their motor died completely. An enemy plane attacked, but Lieutenant Stokes kept him off until his machine coasted to their own lines.