Earl W. Porter

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Earl W. Porter, Second Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Lassigny, France, August 9, 1918. Second Lieutenant Porter, with First Lieutenant Charles Raymond Blake, pilot, while on a reconnaissance expedition at a low altitude and beyond the enemy lines, was attacked by five German battle planes. Although wounded at the beginning of the combat, he shot down one of the enemy machines and by cool and courageous operation of his gun, while his pilot skillfully maneuvered the plane, fought off the others and made possible a safe return to friendly territory.