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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) Louis C. Simon, Jr., United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 147th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Cierges, France, 23 October 1918. Lieutenant Simon and two other pilots encountered nine (type Fokker) enemy planes, which were protecting an observation plane (type Rumpler). Lieutenant Simon attacked the lower formation of four planes alone and drove them off. He next dived at the observation plane and sent it crashing to the ground in flames.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    147th Aero Squadron

    Regiment:

    1st Pursuit Group

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 16, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 44 (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) Louis Charles Simon, Jr., United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 147th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., in the region of Hadonville-les-La-Chausse, France, 16 September 1918. While on a protection patrol for American observation planes from the 99th Aero Squadron, Lieutenant Simon was fired upon by three Halberstadt biplane fighters. Regardless of his personal danger, he immediately engaged the enemy, although alone, drawing them down and away from the observation planes which continued their important work unmolested. Lieutenant Simon continued fighting the three Halberstadts fiercely in spite of the odds against him. He finally succeeded in getting on the tail of one; and, after firing a short burst at close range, the enemy plane fell out of control. The remaining two planes quickly broke off the combat and headed east with motors full on.