Lloyd G. Bowers

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Lloyd G. Bowers, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action near Gironville and Chatel-Chehery, France, August 14 – 29 and October 27, 1918. On August 14 this officer’s balloon was attacked by four enemy chase machines and, though urged to jump, he remained at his post and secured information of great value. On August 29 he was attacked by enemy planes using incendiary bullets, but would not leave his post before his balloon caught fire; he insisted at once upon re-ascending, although he knew that the enemy was constantly patrolling the air. On October 27, near Chatel-Chehery, while regulating artillery fire, he was attacked by several enemy planes and his balloon was perforated by incendiary bullets. He remained in the air and carried out his observation. His extreme courage and devotion to duty furnished a splendid example to the officers and men of his command.