Ralph Ellison De Castro

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Ralph Ellison De Castro, Second Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near St. Mihiel, France, September 12, 1918. Because of intense aerial activity on the opening day of the St. Mihiel offensive, Lieutenant de Castro, pilot, and First Lieutenant Arthur E. Easterbrook, observer, volunteered to fly over the enemy’s lines on a photographic mission, without the usual protection of accompanying battle planes. Notwithstanding low-hanging clouds, which necessitated operation at an altitude of only 400 meters, they penetrated four kilometers beyond the German lines. Attacked by four enemy machines, they fought their foes, completed their photographs mission, and returned safely.