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) William Howard Stovall, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 13th Aero Squadron, 2d Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., in the region of Etain, France, 26 September 1918. While leading a protection patrol over a day bombing formation First Lieutenant Stovall’s patrol became reduced through motor trouble to himself and one other pilot. When the bombing patrol was attacked by seven enemy planes he in turn attacked the enemy and destroyed one plane.