Paul N. A. Rooney

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Paul N. A. Rooney, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism in action near Ansauville and Germonville, France, July 22 and September 26, 1918. On July 22, near Ansauville, Lieutenant Rooney, with Lieutenant Ferrenbach, was conducting an important observation. At an altitude of 800 meters be was several times attacked by enemy planes but refused to leave his post until his balloon was set afire, and only then after he had seen that his companion had safely jumped. While descending his parachute was almost hit by the falling balloon. He insisted upon returning to his post, and was in the air again as soon as another balloon could be inflated. On September 26, while adjusting artillery fire, his balloon was attacked by three enemy planes (Fokker type). At imminent peril to his life he stuck to his post until one plane dived directly at him. Lieutenant Rooney would not leave the basket until his companion, Lieutenant Montgomery, had jumped to safety.