Rodney M. Armstrong

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Rodney M. Armstrong, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action November 4, 1918. As pilot of a DH-4 plane, Lieutenant Armstrong flew an Infantry contact machine over the lines of the 7th Division November 4, 1918. Owing to low clouds and rain, he crossed the line at 1, 000 feet in order to enable his observer to locate the position more accurately. While on the enemy’s side, he was wounded by an explosive bullet. In spite of his wound and weakness, he continued his mission, coming down to within 500 feet of the enemy’s machine guns and troops, until his observer had signaled him that the mission was completed.