Ralph Ellison DeCastro

Military Honor(s):

Distinguished Service Cross

Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Air Service) Ralph Ellison De Castro, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 1st Aero Squadron, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near St. Mihiel, France, 12 September 1918. Because of intense aerial activity on the opening day of the St. Mihiel offensive, Lieutenant de Castro, pilot, and First Lieutenant Arthur E. Easterbrook, observer, volunteered to fly over the enemy's lines on a photographic mission, without the usual protection of accompanying battle planes. Notwithstanding low-hanging clouds, which necessitated operation at an altitude of only 400 meters, they penetrated four kilometers beyond the German lines. Attacked by four enemy machines, they fought their foes, completed their photographs mission, and returned safely.