Paul J. O’Donnell
Born: Philadelphia, PA
Home Town: Wilmington, DE
Distinguished Service Cross
World War I
U.S. Army
General Orders No. No. 123, W.D., 1918
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Paul J. O’Donnell, Second Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Dun-sur-Meuse, France, September 26, 1918. Second Lieutenant O’Donnell’s formation was attacked while flying to bomb Dun-sur-Meuse by seven enemy planes. With the first spurt of enemy fire he was fatally wounded. With, his last strength he opened a deliberate and destructive fire on one of the enemy planes, driving it down out of control. He died before his antagonist struck the ground.