Major EARL W. PORTER, as a Second Lieutenant of the infant Air Service, Major Porter recieved his Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in action near Lassigny, France, August 9, 1918. He, with First Lieutenant Blake, pilot, while on a reconnaissance expedition at a low altitude and beyond the enemy lines, was attacked by five German battle planes. Although wounded at the beginning of the combat, he shot down one of the enemy machines and by cool and courageous operation of his gun, while his pilot skillfully maneuvered the plane, fought off the others and made possible a safe return to friendly territory.

Major Porter joined the Legion of Valor in 1961.