Frank A. Llewellyn

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Frank A. Llewellyn, Captain (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action east of St. Die, France, August 17, 1918. Captain Llewellyn, acting as pilot, and Lieutenant Roland Neel, acting as observer, carried on successful liaison with the infantry during the attack on Frapelle. They flew over the enemy lines at an altitude of only 400 meters, firing on and disconcerting the enemy, and thereby giving courage and confidence to the American forces. Despite heavy fire from 15 antiaircraft machine guns and several batteries of antiaircraft artillery, they performed their work efficiently. Their aeroplane was struck by a number of machine-gun bullets, one of which cut the rudder and elevator control wires and caused the rudder to jam. The broken control wire was held and operated by Lieutenant Neel, under direction of Captain Llewellyn. Running the machine together in this manner, they continued their liaison work until the plane began to become unmanageable, when, in spite of its damaged condition, they brought it back to their airdrome.