Thomas W. Herbert

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Thomas W. Herbert, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Chaulnes, France, August 1 – 8, 1918 while attached to the 56th Squadron, Royal Air Forces, British Expeditionary Forces. When with a formation of six machines, Lieutenant Herbert attacked eighteen enemy Fokker biplanes, shooting one down in flames. During the fighting Lieutenant Herbert was shot in the leg and his plane was struck in the petrol tank, necessitating skillful maneuvering to regain his own lines. As he was landing he became unconscious from loss of blood. On August 4, 1918, at Cappy, France, he destroyed an enemy Pfalz scout plane at an altitude of 9,000 feet, thus saving his patrol leader, who was at the mercy of the enemy plane. On August 1, he joined in the attack of the enemy aerodrome at Epinoy, the altitude at time of attack being but 200 feet; he killed two enemy mechanics by machine-gun fire and shot up hangers and billets. The bravery, skill, and determination of this officer were an inspiration to other members of his squadron.