498 



THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



planes (Fokker type). He attacked two 

 of the enemy that were harassing a single 

 Breguet and in a decisive fight destroyed 

 one of them. Meanwhile five enemy 

 planes approached and concentrated their 

 fire upon him. Undaunted by their su- 

 periority, he attacked and brought down 

 a second plane. 



"A bronze oak leaf, for extraordinary 

 heroism in action in the region of Banthe- 

 ville, France. While on patrol he encoun- 

 tered an enemy formation of six mono- 

 planes. He immediately attacked and de- 

 stroyed one enemy plane and forced the 

 others to disperse in confusion." 



It will be noticed that the expression 

 "oak leaf" is used in this citation instead 

 of ' : oak-leaf cluster," this because the 

 original design was an oak leaf, but it 

 was subject to such criticism from an 

 artistic standpoint that the present design, 

 which is a true cluster of oak leaves and 

 acorns, was adopted. Many oak leaves 

 were issued ; they should all be exchanged 

 for the new clusters. 



It must not be inferred from these two 

 citations that awards of the cluster are 

 always given in the same order as the 

 original award. That happened in these 

 particular cases, but it is the exception 

 rather than the rule. The following is a 

 citation for the award of a cluster to the 

 w r ell-known Captain Rickenbacker : 



"Edward V. Rickenbacker, captain, 

 94th Aero Squadron, Air Service. In 

 addition to the distinguished service cross 

 and bronze oak leaf heretofore awarded 

 Capt. Rickenbacker, which awards were 

 published in General Orders No. 121, 

 War Department, 1918, he is awarded an 

 oak-leaf cluster for the following act of 

 extraordinary heroism in action near 

 Billy, France, September 26, 1918: While 

 on voluntary patrol over the lines he at- 

 tacked seven enemy planes (five type 

 Fokker, protecting two type Halber- 

 stadt). Disregarding the odds against 

 him, he dived on them and shot down one 

 of the Fokkers out of control. He then 

 attacked one of the Halberstadts and sent 

 it down also." 



This decoration also can be awarded to 

 women, as illustrated by the following: 



"By direction of the President, under 

 the provisions of the act of Congress ap- 

 proved July 9, 19 1 8, the distinguished- 

 service cross was awarded February 27, 

 1919, to Miss Beatrice Macdonaed, Re- 

 serve nurse, Army Nurse Corps, for ex- 

 traordinary heroism while on duty with 

 the surgical team at the British Casualty 

 Clearing Station No. 61, British Area, 

 France. During a German night air raid 

 she continued at her post of duty caring 

 for the sick and wounded until seriously 

 wounded by a German bomb, thereby 

 losing one eye." 



THE NAVY CROSS 



The Navy Cross (No. 22) was author- 

 ized by the same law that established the 

 Navy Distinguished Service Medal, and 

 it can be awarded to any one in the naval 

 service who distinguishes himself by ex- 

 traordinary heroism or by distinguished 

 service not justifying the award of the 

 Medal of Honor or the Distinguished 

 Service Medal. 



The difference between this and the 

 Distinguished Service Cross of the Army 

 should be noted. The Army decoration 

 is given only for heroism in action. The 

 Navy Cross is much broader in scope 

 and, in addition to heroism in action, it 

 includes any other distinguished service, 

 not only in time of war but also in peace, 

 in the theater of hostilities or elsewhere. 

 It is a junior decoration to both the 

 Medal of Honor and the Distinguished 

 Service Medal. 



These three naval decorations cover 

 the whole possible gamut of services 

 which should be rewarded. The Medal 

 of Honor is the appropriate reward for 

 extraordinary valor in action, the Dis- 

 tinguished Service Medal for any other 

 specially distinguished services, and the 

 Navy Cross for any meritorious service, 

 of whatever character, of a lesser degree. 



CERTIEICATE OE MERIT 



The Certificate of Merit (No. 5) is our 

 oldest reward for meritorious services, 

 having been established by law March 3, 

 1847. ^ is a certificate, formerly signed 

 by the President himself, which was 

 issued to enlisted men only. It was not a 

 decoration until 1905, when a medal was 



