The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Edward Vernon Rickenbacker, United States Army Air Service, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Pilot, 94th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, Air Service, A.E.F., in action against the enemy near Billy, France, 25 September 1918. While on a voluntary patrol over the lines, First Lieutenant Rickenbacker attacked seven enemy planes (five type Fokker, protecting two type Halberstadt). Disregarding the odds against him, he dived on them and shot down one of the Fokkers out of control. He then attacked one of the Halberstadts and sent it down also.