Edwards Harold Greist

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Edwards Harold Greist, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Andevanne, France, November 1, 1918. On the morning of November 1, during the progress of an important attack, Lieutenant Greist volunteered on a mission to fly through a heavy fog in order to locate the then advanced infantry of the attack. In accomplishing this mission it was necessary to fly at a very low altitude and through the American barrage which was being fired during the flight. He penetrated several kilometers into the enemy’s lines, being subjected to heavy machine-gun fire from the ground, which struck his plane many times, obtained information of the disposition of the enemy artillery, infantry, and our own front line. He returned through the fire with the first authentic information to reach the division commander.