New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-04-21
Capt. James Byford McCudden

McCudden's record Of hostile ma
chimes accounted for up to February
u was fifty-four. Of these forty-two
were definitely destroyed of them
IN just ninety minutes, nineteen fall
ing on the British side of the lines.
/ Only twelve out of the fftv-four were
driven down out Of control Baron Won
Nlchthofen, according to the German
oflclal communicate, has just accounted
tor his seventy-hfth enemy plane, but
he is three years McCudden's senior
and besides we all know how reliable
Teutonic records" are.
No wonder that, in recounting the
feats of the young British champion.
even the writer's of the sober Official
Gazette are inspired to use the lam
guage Of enthusiastic admiration They
tell us that Second Lieutenant (tempo-
rary captain) James Byford McCudden.
d. 5. ON. c., NJ. NJ, Royal Flying
Corps, has now received the V. C. "for
conspicuous bravery, exceptional perse-
verance, keenness and very high devo-
ton to duty on various occasions dur
ing December, 1917, and January and
February of the present year"
AS the other initials after his name
indicate, Captain McCudden also has
the Distinguished Service Order. the
Military Cross and the Military Medal.
Moreover, he has added a bar to both
his D. S. O. and his Military Cross.
THE NJ itary Medal" says the of
fetal announcement; "was awarded this
ofncer (when flight sergeant in the
r. +. ca for consistent galantry,
courage and dash during the month of
September, 1915, in attacking and de-
stroylng an enemy machine and fore
Ing two others to land. He also twice
crossed the enemy lines at very low
altitude in attacks on hostile balloons
under very heavy fire.
"The Military Cross was awarded for
conspicuous gallantry in action on Feb
ruary Is, 1917, on which occasion this
offlcer followed hostile machine down
to height of 800 feet, and drove it
to the ground.
Captain McCudden earned the bar to
his Military Cross for conspicuous gal
lantry, dash and skill during the period
of August 15-Septemper %, 1917, when
ne took part In many offensive patrols
cover thirty of which he led, and de-
stroyed five enemy machines, driving
three others down out of control.
The Distinguished Service Order
was bestowed on him for conspicuous
gallantry on November 20, 1917, when
he attacked and brought down an en-
envy two-seater within our lines, both
occupants being taken prisoner. He
also encountered an enemy machine
during very bad weather conditions
at 1000 feet and fought it down to a
height of 100 feet, when it was de-
stroyed. Captain McCudden came down
to within few feet of the ground in
the enemys lines and finally crossed
the line at very low altitude. Suisse
quent to the award of the bar to the
Military Cross he had been responsible
for the destruction of seven enemy
machines, two of which fell within our
lines.
For his skill and galantry on No
vember %, 1917, Captain McCuddcn was
awarded bar to the Distinguished
Service Order. On this occasion he de-
stroyed four enemy machines, three of
which fell within our lines, by fearless
ness and his clever man + uvring. He
also drove his patrol against six enemy
machines, driving them off,