John I. Rancourt

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to John I. Rancourt, First Lieutenant (Field Artillery), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Fismes, France, August 9, 1918. First Lieutenant Rancourt and Richard C. M. Page, first lieutenant, pilot, were detailed to fly without escort on a visual reconnaissance over the enemy’s lines. They were attacked by six enemy battle planes 1800 meters over Fismes. The Americans unhesitatingly fought this superior number of the enemy. Lieutenant Rancourt was three times seriously wounded in the legs above the knees, yet he continued to operate his machine-gun and shot down one of the enemy planes. In spite of the fact that his elevator controls on one side had been shot away, Lieutenant Page skillfully maneuvered the plane throughout the combat and piloted it safely back to his airdrome.