WILLIAM H. VAIL, received the Distinguished Service Cross while a pursit pilot flying the renowned Spad with the 95th Aero Squadron, U. S. Air Service. On 5 November 1918, 1st Lt. Vail, while on patrol over the Argonne Forest, engaged four hostile pursuit planes which were about to attack an accompanying plane. Almost immediately, he was attacked by five more enemy planes, all of which he continued to fight until he was severely wounded and his plane disabled. He glided to the ground, abandoning the fight only when his machine fell to pieces near the ground.

Mr. Vail joined the Legion of Valor in 1962 and resided in Southern California.