Service Cross is presented to Russell L. Maughan, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Sommerance, France, October 27, 1918. Accompanied by two other planes, Lieutenant Maughan was patrolling our lines, when he saw slightly below him an enemy plane (Fokker type). When he started an attack upon it he was attacked from behind by four more of the enemy. By several well-directed shots he sent one of his opponents to the earth, and, although the forces of the enemy were again increased by seven planes, he so skillfully maneuvered that he was able to escape toward his lines. While returning he attacked and brought down an enemy plane which was diving on our trenches. General Orders No. 46, W.D., 1919 Birth: Logan, UT Home Town: Logan, UT Citation for Distinguished Flying Cross Rank: First Lieutenant General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 4 (1928) Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Russell L. Maughan, U.S. Army Air Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. Lieutenant Maughan departed from Mitchel Field, Long Island, New York, at 2:58 a.m. Eastern standard time, on 23 June 1924, in a modified service type pursuit airplane on the dawn-to-dusk flight, and landed at Crissy Field, San Francisco, California, at 9:47 p.m. Pacific time, the same date. He flew over 2,540 miles in 21 hours and 48 and a half minutes, thereby making the fastest time ever made by man between New York and San Francisco. References . Chapter 3. . Originally published by USAF Historical Division. Hill AFB biography article General Aviation News articles--some inaccuracies External links Hill Aerospace Museum - Utah Aviation Hall of Fame - Colonel Russell Lowell Maughan USAF (United States Army Air Force) History To Go 1893 births 1958 deaths United States Army Air Service pilots of World War I Aviators from Utah Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States) United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II United States Army Air Forces officers Utah State University alumni Air Corps Tactical School alumni