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1st Lt. William P. Erwin
Distinguished Service Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster
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ERWIN, WILLIAM P.
First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army
Pilot, 1st Aero Squadron, Air Service, A.E.F.
Date of Action: June, July & September 12 - 15, 1918
Citation:
The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to William P. Erwin, First
Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in the
Chateau-Thierry and St. Mihiel Salients, France. Lieutenant Erwin, with Second
Lieutenant Byrne V. Baucom, observer, by a long period of faithful and heroic
operations, set an inspiring example of courage and devotion to duty to his
entire squadron. Throughout the Chateau- Thierry actions, in June and July,
1918, he flew under the worst weather conditions and successfully carried out
his missions in the face of heavy odds. In the St. Mihiel sector, September 12 -
15, 1918, he repeated his previous courageous work. He flew as low as 50 feet
from the ground behind the enemy's lines, harassing German troops with
machine-gun fire and subjecting himself to attack from ground batteries,
machine- guns, and rifles. He twice drove off enemy planes which were attempting
to destroy an American observation balloon. On September 12 and 13, 1918, he
flew at extremely low altitudes and carried out infantry contact patrols
successfully. Again on September 12 he attacked a German battery, forced the
crew to abandon it, shot off of his horse a German officer who was trying to
escape, drove the cannoneers to their dugouts, and kept them there until the
infantry could come up and capture them.
General Orders 70, W.D.,
1919
Birth: 10/18/1895 - Ryan, OK
Home Town: Chicago, IL
Other Award: Distinguished Service Cross w/OLC (WWI)
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