Name: William Thomas Ponder Country: United States Rank: Lieutenant Service: French Air Service United States Air Service Squadrons: Spa67, 163 (FAS) 103rd Aero (USAS) Victories: 6 Born: Place of Birth: Mangum, Oklahoma Died: 27 February 1947 Place of Death: Amarillo, Texas Notes After serving in the French Air Service and scoring three victories, Ponder transferred to the United States Air Service on 27 February 1918. Assigned to the 103rd Pursuit Squadron on 7 September 1918, he scored three more victories in October while flying the SPAD S.XIII. Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) "For extraordinary heroism in action near Fontaines, France, 23 October 1918. Having been separated from his patrol, Lt. Ponder observed and went to the assistance of an Allied plane which was being attacked by thirteen of the enemy. Against great odds, Lt. Ponder destroyed one enemy plane and so demoralized the rest that both he and his comrade were able to return to their lines." DSC citation Aces ╖ Aircraft ╖ Books ╖ Chat ╖ Forum ╖ Guests ╖ Links ╖ Medals ╖ News ╖ Search ╖ Vote Copyright ⌐ 1997,1998 The Aerodrome Page revised on 03 May 1998