Clair A. Kinney

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Clair A. Kinney, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Doulcon, France, October 4, 1918. With a patrol of six other machines Lieutenant Kinney attacked 17 enemy planes, (Fokker type). Diving into the midst of the enemy formation he fired into one of the German planes, and pursued it until it crashed to the ground, though he was wounded by another Fokker, which attacked him from the rear. After maneuvering to escape his pursuer, Lieutenant Kinney immediately attacked another enemy plane directly in front of him, and forced it to the ground. In so doing he was fired upon from behind by another Fokker, several bullets striking him in the body and another setting fire to his gas tank. He succeeded in making a safe landing. This gallant officer afterward died of his wounds.