Gardner Philip Allen

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Gardner Philip Allen, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Thiaucourt, France, October 9, 1918. Lieutenant Allen, observer, with First Lieutenant Edward Russell Moore, pilot, took advantage of a short period of fair weather during generally unfavorable atmospheric conditions to undertake a photographic mission behind the German lines. Accompanied by two protecting planes, they had just commenced their mission when they were attacked by eight enemy planes, which followed them throughout their course, firing at the photographic plane. Lieutenant Moore, pilot, with both flying wires cut by bullets, a landing wire shot away, his elevators riddled with bullets, and both wings punctured, continued on the prescribed course, although it made him an easy target. Lieutenant Allen was thus enabled in the midst of the attack to take pictures of the exact territory assigned, and he made no attempt to protect the plane with his machine guns. Displaying entire disregard for personal danger and steadfast devotion to duty, these two officers successfully accomplished their mission.