Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-12-21

The commander in chief, in the name of the President, has awarded the distinguished-service cross to the following-named officers and soldiers for the acts of extraordinary heroism described after their names:
 First Lieut.. William w. Palmer pilot, Air Service, 94th Aero Squadron For extraordinary heroism in action Tn the region of Doulcon, France October 3, 1918. Lieut. Palmer en- countered three enemy planes (Fokker type). Despite their numerical superi- ority he attacked and, in decisive combat, sent one down in flames and forced the others to retire. Home ad- dress, H. w. Palmer, father, Bennets- vile, s. c.
 rlfst Aleut. Edward F. Curtis, pilot Ar oefvice, 95tn Aero Squadron. + or eAtraorainary nerolsm Ill acClon Ill the res1on o1 Stenay, France, September ~, ls1$. Leut. Gurtls yoIunleereu to perIorM a reconnaissance patrol or partfuular danger and importance 3U kliolneIers WlInln the enemys ter tory. I1e made lne entire journey thru 8 heavy anll-alrcratt and machine gun lire, and flew at an extremely low altitude to secure the desired infOrma- ton. Home address, Mrs. C. T. Curtis, nlOtner, North Goodman Street, ko- chester, N. Y.
 Uapt. saMes A, Wallis, observer, Air Service, lst Army observation group. For extraordinary herolsm Ill actlon Ill tue reslOn ot Metz, France, SeplemDer 1o, I5lo. While on a reconnaissance unuer the most adverse weather con- ulnons, which necessitated flying at extremely low altitude, Capt. Wallis, Wltn hls pinot, penetrated the enemy's territory to a depth of 25 kilometers. Attacked by five enemy planes, they destroyed one and forced the others to reLlre. Unuer heavy fire from the ground, they continued on their mis- sion until It was completed. Home ad- dress, Mrs. James A. Wallis, ST., il Blgelow Street, Cambridge, Mass.
 First Lieut.. Arthur k. Seayer, pilot, Air Service, 94th Aero Squadron. For extraordinary herolsm in action in the region of Etain, France, September lo, 1918. Lleug. Searver, With his squadron, started on bombing raid. The formation was broken up because or Various troubles to the macnlnes. Lleut. Seaver, with his observer, Lieut. oLoKes, contlnued on and Jolned Ior- mallon or another bomDlng squauron. AILer crossing the lines their plane was struck Dy an anu-alrcrart eXplos- i've sneil, throwing the machine out ot controi Mhen@Lle SeaverNgainea control of the macnlne It had Iallen away, from the protection of thesnSaess planes. With their crippled plane and mlsslng motor they continued until they had reached their objective, when thelr motor died completely. An ene- my plane attacked, but Lieut.. Stokes kept him off until his machine coasted to their own lines. Home address, Agusseau, Paris, France. j
 First LieSt. Willis X. Diekema, pilot Air Service, 91st Aero Squadron. For extraordinary heroism In action in the region of Metz, France, September 15, 1918. While on a photographic mission Lieut.. Diekema's formation was at tackled by a superior number of enemy aircraft. In the course of the combat Lieut. Diekema's companion planes were driven off. Disregarding the fact that his machine was without pro- lection, he continued on his mission until his observer, Lieut.. Hammond, had completed the photographs. On the return they fought their way through an enemy patrol and de- stroyed one of the machines Home address, G. J. Diekema, 134 West Twelfth Street, Holland, Mich.
 First Lieut.. Leonard (. Hammond, observer, Air Service, 91st Aero Squadron. For extraordinary heroism in action in the region of Metz, France. September 15, 1918. While on a photographic mission. Lieut.. Ham mond's formation was attacked by d superior number of enemy pursuit planes. Notwithstanding that the ene- nay planes succeeded in driving off the protecting planes, Lieut.. Ham, mond and his pilot, Lieut.. Diekema. continued on alone. Continually harassed by enemy aircraft. they
 
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