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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) Sumner Sewall, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 95th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Rocourt, France, 7 July 1918. Lieutenant Sewall fearlessly attacked a formation of five enemy planes (type K Fokker) and separated one from the group, pursued it far behind the enemy’s lines and sent it down in crash, following it within 30 meters of the ground in spite of severe fire from a machine-gun, rifles, and anti-aircraft guns, bullets from which passed through his clothing.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    95th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    June 3 & October 13, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 32 (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 (Air Service) Sumner Sewall, United States Army Air Service, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 95th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Menil-la-Tour, France, 3 June 1918, and near Landres-St.-Georges, France, 13 October 1918. On 3 June Lieutenant Sewall with two other pilots attacked a formation of sis hostile planes. Through his companions were forced to withdraw because of jammed guns, he continued in the fight for 15 minutes and succeeded in sending one of his adversaries down in flames. On 18 October while on a voluntary patrol, this officer saw an American observation plane being attacked by a German machine (Fokker type), accompanied by eight other hostile planes. He immediately attacked and destroyed the Fokker and was in turn attacked by the eight planes. By skillful maneuvering he evaded them and escorted the observation plane back to our lines.