Leo C. Ferrenbach

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Leo C. Ferrenbach, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Ansauville, France, July 22, 1918. Lieutenant Ferrenbach, a balloon observer, was conducting an important surveillance of his sector when at an altitude of 800 meters successive attacks were made upon the balloon by enemy planes. This officer refused to leave his post and continued his work with strong enemy patrols hovering above him until one of the hostile machines dived and set fire to the balloon. After he had jumped in his parachute, the burning balloon fell and barely missed him. Lieutenant Ferrenbach immediately re-ascended while enemy patrols were still in the vicinity.