William Thomas Ponder

1st Lieutenant, U. S. Army

Distinguished Service Cross

GENERAL ORDERS:
War Department, General Orders No. 46 (1919)
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 First Lieutenant (Air Service) William Thomas Ponder, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 103d Aero Squadron, 3d Pursuit Group, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Fontaines, France, 23 October 1918.
Having been separated from, his patrol, Lieutenant Ponder observed and went to the assistance of an allied plane which was being attacked by 30 of the enemy. Lieutenant Ponder destroyed one enemy plane and so demoralized the remaining that both he and his comrade were able to return to their lines.

1919 awarded the French Croix de Guerre with silver star.

Lieutenant Ponder scored his first three aerial victories while flying with the French. After transferring to the US Air Service he scored three more victories, making him an Ace.