Walter L. Avery

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Walter L. Avery, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action north of Chateau-Thierry, France, July 25, 1918. While on his first patrol over the enemy’s lines Lieutenant Avery attacked an enemy two-seater biplane. While thus occupied he was vigorously attacked by another enemy plane, but by a quick turn, skillful maneuvering, and accurate shooting he drove the second plane to the American side of the lines, where it crashed into the woods. Lieutenant Avery’s motor was badly damaged by bullets, but he made a successful landing back of our lines, where he learned that the enemy pilot who had been made a prisoner was a German ace credited with 44 victories. Lieutenant Avery’s conduct was especially commendable because his plane had been seriously damaged at the beginning of the combat.