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) John H. Snyder, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 1st Army Observation Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., on 12 September 1918. While on a special mission to determine the probable enemy concentration in the back areas, Lieutenant Snyder, with his pilot, in spite of almost impossible flying conditions, flew 60 kilometers over the enemy lines at a very low altitude. The unfavorable weather alone would have warranted them in turning back, but they continued on regardless of very active and accurate machine-gun and anti-aircraft fire. They returned to our lines only when their mission was successfully completed.