Clayton Lawrence Bissell

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Clayton Lawrence Bissell, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in the vicinity of Jenlain, France, October 28, 1918. While a member of a flight First Lieutenant Bissell was attacked by greatly superior numbers of enemy planes. Lieutenant Bissell, observing an American plane attacked by eight of the enemy, dived into their midst, destroying one plane, whereupon he was set upon by three enemy Fokkers, one of which he shot down, driving the remaining planes to their own lines. His own plane was so badly crippled as to be beyond repair. The outstanding bravery displayed by Lieutenant Bissell greatly inspired the members of his squadron.