George E. Goldthwaite

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to George E. Goldthwaite, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near the Bois-de-Bantheville, France, October 15, 1918. In the course of a special reconnaissance to locate a hostile concentration massing for a counterattack in the vicinity of the Bois-de-Bantheville, Lieutenant Goldthwaite and his observer flew generally at an altitude of 400 meters, at times as low as 50 meters, 5 kilometers into the enemy’s lines. Antiaircraft guns riddled his plane with bullets, pierced the gasoline tank, and drenched both pilot and observer. He continued on until the enemy’s concentration was located and military information of great value secured. The bravery of Lieutenant Goldthwaite saved the lives of many American soldiers and brought large losses to the enemy.