Robert Vallois

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Robert Vallois, Captain of Air Service, French Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Thiaucourt, France. Captain Vallois volunteered to fly with Major Lewis H. Brereton on an important reconnaissance mission. On account of poor visibility they were forced to fly at a very low altitude and were continually harassed by antiaircraft fire. Four enemy monoplanes (type Fokker) attacked them, and during the combat which followed Captain Vallois’ gun jammed. After withdrawing for the purpose of clearing the jam they again returned to the fight, and, despite the fact that he had been painfully wounded in the face, Captain Vallois succeeded in dispersing three of the adversaries and fought off the other while his pilot made a landing.