Charles Raymond Blake

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Charles Raymond Blake, First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Lassigny, France, August 9, 1918. Lieutenant Blake with Second Lieutenant Earle W. Porter, observer, while on a reconnaissance expedition at a low altitude far beyond the enemy lines, was attacked by five German battle planes. His observer was wounded at the beginning of the combat, but he maneuvered his plane so skillfully that the observer was able to shoot down one of their adversaries. By more skillful maneuvering he enabled his observer to fight off the remaining planes and returned safely to friendly territory.