By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), First Lieutenant (Air Service) William H. Vail, United States Army Air Service, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. First Lieutenant Vail distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with 95th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, American Expeditionary Forces, in action near Stenay, France, 6 November 1918, while on a voluntary patrol. [A Distinguished Service Cross was subsequently awarded for the actions on this date.]
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ServiceRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Service)Batallion:
95th Aero SquadronRegiment:
1st Pursuit GroupDivision:
American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
November 6, 1918
War Department, General Orders No. 37 (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) William H. Vail, 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., at Stenay, France, 6 November 1918, Lieutenant Vail, while on patrol, engaged four hostile pursuit planes which were about to attack an accompanying plane. Almost immediately he was attacked by five more enemy planes, all of which he continued to fight until he was severely wounded and his plane disabled. He glided to the ground, abandoning the flight only when his machine fell to pieces near the ground.