War Bird Ace: The Great War Exploits of Capt. Field E. Kindley

Appendix D

Appendix D Citations to Field E. Kindley’s Medals U.S. Distinguished Service Cross and Bronze Oak Leaf The commander in chief, in the name of the President, has awarded the Distinguished Service Cross to the following named officers and soldiers for acts of extraordinary heroism herein described after their names: First Lieut. Field E. Kindley, Air Service. For extraordinary heroism in action near Bourlon Wood, France, September 24, 1918. Lieut. Kindley attacked formation of seven hostile planes (type Fokker) and sent one crashing to the ground. A Bronze Oak Leaf is awarded to Lieut. Kindley for the following act of extraordinary heroism in action near Marcoing, France, September 27, 1918. Flying at a low altitude, this officer bombed the railway at Marcoing and drove down an enemy balloon. He then attacked German troops at low altitude and silenced a hostile machine gun, after which he shot down in flames an enemy plane (type Halberstadt) which had attacked him. Lieut. Kindley has so far destroyed seven enemy aircraft and driven down three out of control. Distinguished Flying Cross for Service with 65th Squadron, Royal Air Force On September 24th, Lt. Kindley led his flight down on seven Fokkers north of Bourlon Wood, one of which he followed down and saw crash and burst into flames. On September 26th, while working in conjunction with another of our flights, Lt. Kindley’s flight accounted for two EA crashed, one of which he got. On September 27th this officer on low flying duty dropped bombs on railways near Marcoing, then attacked a balloon near Noyelles-sur-L’Escaut, driving same down and compelling Appendix D | 165 the two observers to jump. He then, at an altitude of 600 feet, attacked and silenced an enemy machine-gun and shot up troops. Being then attacked by a Halberstadt he engaged it and brought it down in flames. Lt. Kindley’s ammunition then being used up, he started for the lines but on the way back he saw two EA which he dived on. They turned and went east. This officer has been on active service in France since 23 May 1918. His work in this squadron has been consistently good and since 30 July, he has been leading “A” Flight with marked success. He has accounted for a total of seven and one half EA destroyed and has driven down out of control, three.1 ...