The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-29
General Pershing Rewards Acts Of Heroisn1 By Auiators

Washington, October 2s.-The com mander In chief of the A. E., F. in the name of the President, has awarded the l distinguished service cross to the fol- lowing officers and soldiers for the acts of extraordinary heroism described after their names:
 Maj. William Thaw, A. S., 1OSd Aero
 action near Rheims, France, March 26,
 1918. Major Thaw was the leader of a
 patrol of three planes which attacked
 five enemy monoplanes and three battle
 planes He and another member of the
 patrol brought down one enemy plane
 and the three drove down out of con
 trol two others and dispersed the re-
 mainder. The bronze oak leaf is award
 ed Major Thaw for extraordinary hero
 ism in action near Montague, France,
 April 20, 1918. In the region of Montague,
 Major Thaw attacked and brought down
 burning, an enemy balloon. While re-
 turning~to his own lines the same day,
 he attacked two enemy monoplanes, one Of which he shot down in flames Home
 address; Benjamin Thaw, Jr., care of American embassy, Paris France.
 First Lieut.. Edward " Rickenbacker, A. S., Ninety-fourth aero squadron For
 extraordinary heroism in action near Montsec. France. April 2s, 1918. Lieuten- ant Richenbacker attacked an enemy all
 batross monoplane and after a vigorous fight, in which he followed his foe into farr tr1,,rr !, zl..l
 ing it down near Vigneulles- les Hatton Chatel. One bronze oak leaf Is awarded Lieutenant Rickenbacker for each of the following acts of extraordinary heroism in action. On May r, 1918, he attacked
 three albatross enemy planes, shooting one down in the vicinity of Richecourt
 France, and forcing the others to re- treat over their own lines. On May 22, 1918, he attacked three monoplane alba tross planes 4o00 meters over St. Mihiel, France. He drove them back into Ger man territory, separated one from the group and shot it down near F'lirey. On May 2S, 1918, he sighted a group of two battleplanes and four monoplanes. Ger man planes. which he at once attacked vigorously, shooting down one and dis persing the others. On May 3O 1918, 4000 meters over Jaulnoy. France, he attacked group of five enemy planes. After violent battle. he shot down one plane and drove the others away Home ad- dress: Mrs. William Rickenbacker, 1884 East Livingstone avenue. Columbus. Ohio.
 First Lieut.. Douglas Campbell, A. S., Ninety-fourth aero squadron. For ex traordinary heroism in action on May 1e, 1918. Lieutenant Campbell attacked an enemy biplane at an altitude of 450o meters, east of Fliery, France. He rushed to the attack but after shooting a few rounds. his gun jammed. Unde- tered by this accident, he maneuvered so as to protect himself, corrected the jam in midair and returned to the as- sault. After short, violent action, the enemy plane took fire and crashed to the earth. One bronze oak leaf is awarded to Lieutenant Campbell for each of the following acts of extraordinary heroism in action. On May 27. 1918, he encoun- tered three enemy monoplanes at an al-, titude of 3o00 meters over Montsec France Despite the superior strength of the enemy. he promptly attacked and, fighting brilliant battle, shot down one German machine, which fell in three pieces and drove the other two well within the enemy lines. On May 2S. 1918, he saw six German albatross airplanea flying toward him at an altitude of 2000 meters near Bois Rate, France, Regard less of personal danger, he immediately attacked and by sl1ilful maneuvering and accurate operation of his machine gun, he brought one plane down in flames and drove the other five back into their own lines. On May 31. 1918, he took the of fensive against two German biplanes at an altitude of 2500 meters over Liron- vile, France, shot down one of them and pursued the other far behind the Ger man lines. On June B. 1918, accompanied by another pilot, he attacked two en- enly battleplanes at an altiture of 57O0 meters over Eply, France. After spir- ited combat, Lieutenant Campbell was shot through the back by machine gun bullet. but in spite-of his injury he kept on fighting until he had forced one of the enemy planes to the ground, where 1t was destroyed by artillery fire. and had 4 driven the other plane back into its own territory. Home address: w. w. Camp bell. Lick Observatory, Mt. Hamilton. Cal.
 Second Lieut.. Ralph A. O'Neill. A. S.. firth Aero squadron. For extraordinary heroism in action near Chateau Thierry, France, July ?, 1918. Lieutenant ONeiu and four other pilots attacked F en- emy battleplanes. In violent battle within the enemy's lines, they brought down three German planes, one of which was credited to Lieutenant O'Neill. A bronze oak leaf is awarded to Lieuten- ant O'Neill for the following act of ex- heroism in action: On July D. 191S Lieutenant O'Neill led three other pilots in battle against eight German pursuit planes near Chateau Thierry. France. Lieutenant ONeill attacked the leader. opening fire at about 150 yards and closing up to 30 yards range. After a quick and decisive fight, the enemy aircraft fell in flames. Lieutenant O'Neill then turned on three other ma chimes that were attacking him from the rear and brought one of them down. The other five enemy planes were driven away. Home address: Mrs. R. l.. O'Neill, 21s Sonita street. Nogales, Ariz
 First Lieut.. James A. Meissner, A. S., fourth aero squadron. For ex-