William J. Hoover

The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William J. Hoover, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Verdilly, France, July 2, 1918. On the morning of July 2 First Lieutenant Hoover’s flight patrol encountered the famous Richthofen circus. Lieutenant Hoover was simultaneously attacked by three of the enemy and cut off from his comrades. By skillfully maneuvering he avoided the effects of their concentrated fire and fearlessly attacked the three. Although his machine was seriously damaged, he killed one of the enemy pilots and destroyed his plane, drove down another, apparently out of control, and chased the third far into its own lines. He then continued the patrol until shortage of gasoline forced him to return.