Byron T. Burt, Jr.

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Byron T. Burt, Jr., First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action near Griscourt, France, August 4 – 11, 1918, near Sommedieue, France, September 16, and near Avocourt, France, October 1, 1918. On each of these occasions, Lieutenant Burt remained with his balloon, making important observations of the enemy’s positions and directing our artillery fire, until his balloon was set on fire by incendiary bullets from enemy aircraft. On one occasion he refused to jump until his companion, a student observer, was safely away.