Wallace Coleman

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Wallace Coleman, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Jaulny France, September 12 – 13, 1918. On September 12 Lieutenant Coleman, pilot, and Second Lieutenant William Belzer, observer, while on an artillery surveillance mission were attacked by an enemy plane. They waited until the enemy was at close range and then fired 50 rounds directly into the vital parts of the enemy machine, which was seen to disappear out of control. The next day Lieutenants Belzer and Coleman, while on a reconnaissance mission, were attacked by seven enemy aircraft. They unhesitatingly opened fire, but, owing to their guns being jammed, were forced to withdraw to our lines, where, clearing the jam, they returned to finish the mission. Their guns again jammed, and they were driven back by a large patrol of enemy planes. After skillful maneuvering they succeeded in putting one gun into use and returned a third time, only to be driven back. Undaunted, they returned the fourth time and accomplished their mission, transmitting valuable information to the Infantry headquarters.